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Product Description
CD Description
Tony Banks, founder member of rock band Genesis, has already written a much admired orchestral work called Seven (8.557466), in which he was praised for his 'genuine melodic gift' (Gramophone). His new work consists of six evocative songs without words which may arouse in the listener ideas of seduction, journeys, heroes, quests, decisions and goals. Two of the pieces feature solo instruments alto saxophone on Siren and violin on Blade played here by elite soloists, which mesh into Banks's orchestral tapestry with bewitching effect. The remaining pieces reveal his outstanding lyrical gifts and total command of musical narrative.
Tony Banks has a big following for his solo work outside the group. His classical compositions have been admired for their lyricism and melodic qualities, with some critics noting an affinity with the string works of Vaughan Williams.
Throughout 2009 Charlie Siem's reputation as one of the brightest new classical artists grew with prestigious concerts in Paris, London, Oslo, Bergen and Basel. He has since enjoyed a very successful career, appearing with major orchestras and at festivals around the world. Martin Robertson began his solo career in 1986, and has since performed as a soloist with the Berlin, Los Angeles and London Philharmonic Orchestras, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble Intercontemporain.
Classic FM CD of the Week (Week beginning 19/03/2012).
Tony Banks has a big following for his solo work outside the group. His classical compositions have been admired for their lyricism and melodic qualities, with some critics noting an affinity with the string works of Vaughan Williams.
Throughout 2009 Charlie Siem's reputation as one of the brightest new classical artists grew with prestigious concerts in Paris, London, Oslo, Bergen and Basel. He has since enjoyed a very successful career, appearing with major orchestras and at festivals around the world. Martin Robertson began his solo career in 1986, and has since performed as a soloist with the Berlin, Los Angeles and London Philharmonic Orchestras, BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble Intercontemporain.
Classic FM CD of the Week (Week beginning 19/03/2012).
Product Description
Siren - Still Waters - Blade - Wild Pilgrimage - The Oracle - City of Gold / Charlie Siem, violon - Martin Robertson, saxophone alto - The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra - Paul Englishby, direction
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By M. Maxwell
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you love Genesis then you may wish to give this wonderful album a listen?
The melodies and harmonies hint at Genesis songs you HAVE heard and Genesis songs that may have been had the band still been a working unit.
The songs have been arranged for Orchestra and have a Vaughn-Willians, Gustav Holst feel to my ears. One could play 'The Lark ascending' by Vaughn-Williams and then a section of Holst's 'The Planets' followed by one of the pieces from 'Six' and find them all complimentary.
Upon first play i found the 52 minute play time whiz by. It had me involved every step of the way and i wanted to hear it again.
The orchestra sounds great and the solo performances are exquisite as one expects from NAXOS.
To sum up: It delivers from the first play and grows from there into a special experience.
Wonderful.
The melodies and harmonies hint at Genesis songs you HAVE heard and Genesis songs that may have been had the band still been a working unit.
The songs have been arranged for Orchestra and have a Vaughn-Willians, Gustav Holst feel to my ears. One could play 'The Lark ascending' by Vaughn-Williams and then a section of Holst's 'The Planets' followed by one of the pieces from 'Six' and find them all complimentary.
Upon first play i found the 52 minute play time whiz by. It had me involved every step of the way and i wanted to hear it again.
The orchestra sounds great and the solo performances are exquisite as one expects from NAXOS.
To sum up: It delivers from the first play and grows from there into a special experience.
Wonderful.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Pete
Format:Audio CD
This is an album that has been made by the right man at the right time of his life-I feel all of Tony's music has lead him naturally to this great point,this is what Tony the composer was always meant to do.
The album contains some extraordinary beautiful music.I am a great fan of Delius and hoped by this second classical release that Tony would have 'hit his stride'...Well,he certainly has.
Listen closely to the piece 'Blade' it reminds me in places of Rimsky-Korsakov,with its excellent use of the violin to evoke sensations of joy,wistfulness and yes soaring elation.
I agree with so many others,that it would be fantastic to see this work performed live at some point.
All in all a very commendable work-well done Tony,your hard work creating this new album is very much appreciated.Indeed where would we be without Tony Banks in 2012, as we try to find musical solace in a world besotted with lightweight disposable pap!
Best Wishes
Pete
The album contains some extraordinary beautiful music.I am a great fan of Delius and hoped by this second classical release that Tony would have 'hit his stride'...Well,he certainly has.
Listen closely to the piece 'Blade' it reminds me in places of Rimsky-Korsakov,with its excellent use of the violin to evoke sensations of joy,wistfulness and yes soaring elation.
I agree with so many others,that it would be fantastic to see this work performed live at some point.
All in all a very commendable work-well done Tony,your hard work creating this new album is very much appreciated.Indeed where would we be without Tony Banks in 2012, as we try to find musical solace in a world besotted with lightweight disposable pap!
Best Wishes
Pete
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Tony Banks gained valuable experience from his first attempt at putting together a suite of classical music pieces
under the Naxos label - the previous album "SEVEN". This time round he has worked with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra under Paul Englishby. In my humble opinion this has helped greatly and the overall feel of this production sounds so much better than the first. This new work consists of 6 classical pieces, 2 of which feature solo elements - alto saxophone on "SIREN" (Martin Robertson) and violin on "BLADE" (Charlie Siem). These world class elite soloists were a great choice and have contributed to raise this album to a higher level.
MELODY is very prominent throughout the compositions and the soloist pieces are the magical touch - the piece "BLADE" being the highlight of the album. I wonder whether "CITY OF GOLD" relates to Banks' composition from the 1976 Genesis album "A TRICK OF THE TAIL"?
Tony Banks does not play piano on these pieces but fully concentrates on his role as Composer - a role that suits him well and which we hope will allow us to enjoy further classical albums in the future and perhaps also some film soundtrack music.
On another note, perhaps the album deserves a better front cover artwork as the overall simplicity of the blocks does not reflect the internal content.
I rate SIX as a 5 star album - fits in perfectly as a 21st century classical piece of work.
under the Naxos label - the previous album "SEVEN". This time round he has worked with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra under Paul Englishby. In my humble opinion this has helped greatly and the overall feel of this production sounds so much better than the first. This new work consists of 6 classical pieces, 2 of which feature solo elements - alto saxophone on "SIREN" (Martin Robertson) and violin on "BLADE" (Charlie Siem). These world class elite soloists were a great choice and have contributed to raise this album to a higher level.
MELODY is very prominent throughout the compositions and the soloist pieces are the magical touch - the piece "BLADE" being the highlight of the album. I wonder whether "CITY OF GOLD" relates to Banks' composition from the 1976 Genesis album "A TRICK OF THE TAIL"?
Tony Banks does not play piano on these pieces but fully concentrates on his role as Composer - a role that suits him well and which we hope will allow us to enjoy further classical albums in the future and perhaps also some film soundtrack music.
On another note, perhaps the album deserves a better front cover artwork as the overall simplicity of the blocks does not reflect the internal content.
I rate SIX as a 5 star album - fits in perfectly as a 21st century classical piece of work.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good
This was sent well wrapped so did not get bent or dunted in the post. Item as described and sent quickly
Published 24 days ago by C
4.0 out of 5 stars
A curio worth an occasional listen
The name Tony Banks will forever associated with the rock band Genesis, of which he was a founder member, but he is also a solo artist, a composer of film music, most notably for... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Stuart Sillitoe
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok
Listened to this a couple of times but haven't rushed back to listen to it again. Sounds like a film score
Published 2 months ago by Claire Scutter
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tony Banks Six PFO
Interesting mix of the classical . Listened to it twice ,need more time to take in the themes .Would have liked added. prog keyboard material on the first impression . Read more
Published 3 months ago by James Derrick
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very pleasant.
I like it. It's the sort of pleasant background music you can put on in the car, in lieu of Classic FM and it washes over you. Tony Banks is a good musician. Read more
Published 3 months ago by jon F.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Six pieces, five stars!
Unlike some of Tony Banks' previous solo albums, this album is excellent. Melodic, soothing and well-produced, it's a winner. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sarasa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tony Banks Illustrates That Six Is Actually Greater Than Seven
It has been over eight years since Tony Banks released his first all-orchestral album "Seven", which (as I mentioned in my review at the time) managed to be a successful instance... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jerry
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Pleased - nice music
As a huge Tony Banks fan, I would struggle to find anything wrong with any of his music. There are some very nice melodies in this album and it is a really pleasant piece of music... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Kevin Ian Hammond
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grand master of symphonic music strikes all the right notes
Tony Banks of Genesis, often misleadingly referred to as a 'rock star', produces another. fine orchestral work. Read more
Published 10 months ago by R. Mills
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
Packed with memorable themes and cracking performances from the chosen soloists. I've not heard Tony's first album but it's only a matter of time before I buy that one too.
Published 11 months ago by Philip R. Symons
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