Scenes from a Memory

Scenes from a Memory

Track Listings

1. Scene One: Regression

2. Scene Two: Overture 1928

3. Strange Deja Vu

4. Scene Three: Through My Words

5. Fatal Tragedy

6. Scene Four: Beyond This Life

7. Scene Five: Through Her Eyes

8. Scene Six: Home

9. Scene Seven: The Dance of Eternity

10. One Last Time

11. Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On

12. Scene Nine: Finally Free

Tracks:

Regression
Overture 1928
Strange Deja Vu
Through My Words
Fatal Tragedy
Beyond This Life
Through Her Eyes
Home
The Dance Of Eternity
One Last Time
The Spirit Carries On
Finally Free

Amazon.com

Progressive rock has long been the most devalued currency in popular music, perhaps due to the culture's dumbing down, too many conceptually knotted triple-albums, or merely a Greek chorus of critics parroting the emperor from Amadeus: "Too many notes!" Maybe that's what makes Dream Theater's Scenes such an audacious rush (no pun intended). Here we have a two-act murder mystery examined from a hypnotic dream state and parlayed by "The Orchestra," as the band refers to itself here. Andrew Lloyd Webber hasn't written anything as focused--or musically audacious--in decades. And if the band attacks feverish shift meters and plows through enough structural modes and, yes, notes, to make the aforementioned emperor's head spin, they manage to keep things concise, focused, and largely effective. The addition of keyboardist Jordan Rudess has freshened the band's tack, infused now with the odd, playful ragtime piano quote and sitar sample. Vocalist James Labrie, meanwhile, amply proves that Queensryche's Geoff Tate isn't the only drama queen in prog metal. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

masterpiece.......2007-07-12

this one, and Awake, will be the ones that your kids will regard the way you and me regard Dark Side of the Moon.

thus album has touched my heart.......2007-07-08

along with top notch musical writing, this ia a concept album if there ever was one. the whole album revolves around specificlly writen melodies along with its consistant story line which involes the double murder of a young couple. anyone who appreciates concept albyms will see this as being the ultimate one of the genre because it is both melodically and lyrically perfect. praise be to the best

Amazing !.......2007-07-01

I am new to Dream Theater, I have make "the discovery" two years ago while the band was the opening act for "Yes". I have to admit that their performance was "jaw dropping" if you see what I mean. They had less than 45 minutes that night but this was enough for me. I wanted to knew all about them. This album is simply amazing, if you like great musical performance, great vocals, prog rock music at its best, this one is for you. Don't miss the chance to discover an amazing album and an amazing band.

Dream Theater's mission statement.......2007-06-28

After releasing the uneven and often criticized Falling Into Infinity in 1997, Dream Theater found themselves with a lot to prove. If Falling Into Infinity was a misguided attempt to let outside voices "streamline" the band's progressive metal sound in hopes of reaching some mythical "crossover" audience, then its successor - 1999's Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory - was a deliberate statement by the band; a statement that said in no uncertain terms that Dream Theater's music is not for the top 40 listening masses and never will be. The band kept their own counsel while recording this album, the result of which is a progressive metal tour-de-force that reestablished the band at the top of the progressive metal pantheon.

Scenes From a Memory is an ambitious concept album based loosely on the Images and Words song Metropolis, Part I. I was a bit surprised to hear about the album's concept, as I always thought that the lyrics to Metropolis Part I were mostly metaphorical in nature. Still, the band managed to put together an interesting, if convoluted, tale of love, murder, reincarnation and redemption carried out over the course of 12 songs.

Musically this is a very strong album. With the songwriting and production duties solely in the band's hands (and absolutely no need to come up with a "hit"), they were free to be as creative and progressive as they chose. This is most obvious in the instrumental interplay between guitar god John Petrucci and incoming keyboardist Jordan Rudess, whose pyrotechnics on this album are the stuff of legend. Mike Portnoy and John Myung, both masters of their craft, are more than up to the challenge, as is vocalist James LaBrie, who was coming off of a tour that nearly destroyed his voice.

Overall Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory is a very impressive album. The only real flaw, and it's one that affects most concept albums, is that it really only works as a whole album. Unlike the songs on Images and Words or Train of Thought, the tracks on SFAM don't really work as single songs. The lyrical content, storyline, and the flow from one track to the next makes it hard for the songs to stand up on their own. Still, that's a relatively minor complaint about an otherwise great album.

Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From a Memory is a must-have album for all Dream Theater fans, and anyone who is into progressive metal. It may be a bit heavy for some traditional progressive rock fans, but I've generally found that crowd to be pretty open minded, so I think they'd enjoy it as well.

Their best in my opinion........2007-05-24

In my opinion, this is Dream Theater's best album. That doesn't mean that I don't appreciate some of the genius work on Images and Words and Awake, it just means that, as an entire album, this one is slightly better. Images and Words as well as Awake have some of the best Dream Theater songs (Learning To Live, Metropolis Pt. 1, Caught In A Web, Scarred) to date, but Scenes From A Memory is more cohesive from beginning to end.

This release is Dream Theater's first attempt at a concept album. Whether or not you enjoy concept albums is irrelevant because each song can stand on it's own without the knowledge that the entire album follows one main storyline. Each song is very unique without straying too far from the Dream Theater formula that made them what they are. Highlights for me are Home, Fatal Tragedy, The Spirit Carries On, and Finally Free. As always, the musicianship is phenomenal without being too self indulgent as DT can sometimes be. The song structures are complex, but not so much as to take away from the overall atmosphere of each song.

This is also the first album with current (as I'm writing this) keyboardist Jordan Rudess. Jordan is obviously very talented and adds a new element to the band that wasn't there in previous albums. Not a better element, just a new element. I believe Kevin Moore was better at creating melodies than Jordan, but I believe Jordan is better during the interlude and fill sections. Six of one, half dozen of the other I guess.

I own every Dream Theater album to date and SFAM still gets the most play in my stereo, closely followed by Images and Words and Awake. I enjoy all of the albums since SFAM, but I don't think they have since captured the same magic and probably never will again.

As with every review, these are my opinions and I'm sure many people will disagree with me, but that's what makes these reviews so much fun. Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Grieg: Complete Solo Piano Music

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0001M4DK0
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Average customer rating:

Ravishing music, matchless pianism

Speak Memory

Manufacturer: Urtext Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Vladimir Feltsman- American "Live" Debut at Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B000A2UBR0
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

Etude Tableux Op. 33 No. 2 In C Major
Prelude Op. 23 No. 6 In E Flat Major
'Daiseis'
Mazurka Op. 24 No. 4 In B Flat Minor
Waltz Op. 69 No. 1 In A Flat Minor
Waltz Op. 64 No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
Adagio In E Major
Liszt: 'Widmung'
Traumerei
Einsame Blumen
Liszt: Litaney
Intermezzo Op. 117 No. 1 In E Flat Major
Duetto Op. 38 No. 6 In A Flat Major
La Terrasse Des Audiences Du Clair De Lune
Bruyeres
Feuillet D'Album Op. 45 No. 1
Arietta
Wanderer
Pavane In G Major
Der Dichter Sprich
Myra Hess: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring Chorale From Cantata No. 147 In G Major

Customer Reviews:

Ravishing music, matchless pianism.......2005-08-25

The superb Russian-born pianist Vladimir Feltsman plays the short pieces in this exquisitely chosen program with his habitual intelligence, clarity, and passion. This ravishing collection is worth the price just for Liszt's gorgeous transcription of Schumann's "Widmung," one of the most beautiful and moving love songs ever written. This is a CD you will want to play again and again.

Average customer rating:

Wild Gypsy Music
Violin Playing at its Best

Hubay: Scènes de la csárda
Jeno Hubay , Hagai Shaham , and Arnon Erez
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Violin Diabolique

ASIN: B0001FYR26
Release Date: 2004-04-13

Tracks:

No.1 Op.9
No.2 My Little Flute Op.13
No.3 The Waters Of Maros Op.18
No.4 Hejre Kati Op.32
No.5 The Wavy Balaton Op.33
No.6 The Yellow Beetle Op.34
No.7 Kossuth's Melody Op.41
No.8 So They Say Op.60
No.9 Czinka Panna's Tune Op.65
No.10 Memoirs From Szalatna Op.69

Tracks:

No.11 The Willow's Withered Branch Op.82
No.12 My Little Turtle Dove Op.83
No.13 Op.102
No.14 On The Themes Of Lavotta Op.117
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No.2 In D Major
No.3 In A Major
No.4 In A Minor
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No.6 In B Flat Major
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No.2 In E Major
No.3 In B Minor
No.4 In A Major
No.5 In F Major
No.6 In D Minor

Customer Reviews:

Wild Gypsy Music.......2005-05-30

Jeno Hubay was a virtuoso violinist who lived in Austria-Hungary during the late Nineteenth Century. The pieces on this album all stem from the Magyar folk tradition, and even more especially from the popular music of mid-Nineteenth century Hungarian musicians, mostly love songs, but also occasionally songs which deal with the desire for greater political autonomy and independence. But in plain and simple terms: it is gypsy music; wild romantic gypsy music.

Hubay's music is typical of that era: some describe it as "kitsch", which carries the meaning "in bad taste". I wouldn't go that far. In the first place, excessive ornamentation was characteristic of the arts during that era. You will also encounter a dose of melodrama and possibly some saccharine phrases in these pieces -- which would more aptly be described as the occasional secretion of schmalz, rather than kitsch. This is but an occasional defect of Hubay's style, and it is a defect only from our "sophisticated" point of view.

Listening to this music will take you back to the era before the Great War, when Vienna was the capital of the arts. This music is magical in evoking that distant time and place. Listen to this music on a Saturday night with a (tall) glass of wine at your side and you will be overwhelmed by the magic these Scenes create in your imagination! Hagai Shaham plays these pieces passionately -- almost as if the music was composed for him. In fact, we are told in the album notes that his teacher's teacher was none other than Hubay himself. Kudos also for Arnon Erez, his perfect complement on the piano. Finally, the album notes are first rate. Each piece is discussed separately, describing the folk or popular music on which it is based, even some of the lyrics. Altogether this is a first-rate production from Hyperion.

Violin Playing at its Best.......2004-05-30

This two CD album is a masterpiece. It consists of many short pieces that have been composed by Hubay during over forty years, based on popular themes from Hungary. Typically, each piece starts at a low pace, and turns into an amazing virtuoso, rapid melody, and I wonder, who else, except the violinist Hagai Shaham, who is the grand-pupil of Hubay, could play it this way. Also the pianist, Arnon Erez, is wonderful, but the violin is the star here. The playing is extremely accurate, in spite of the extreme technical challenges, and the interpretation sounds perfect. The music is beautiful, and very appealing. The recording quality is excellent. Two full pieces can be found on the publisher's Internet site (Hyperion).

Average customer rating:

Scenes from Childhood: Solo Guitar

Manufacturer: Duns Scotus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004WJIS
Release Date: 1998-12-01

Tracks:

Themes from "The Godfather": Themes - Nino Rota
One Hand, One Heart from "West Side Story": One Hand, One Heart - Leonard Bernstein
Etude in B Minor - Fernando Sor
Scenes from Childhood: About Strange Lands and People - Robert Schumann
Scenes from Childhood: Pleading Child - Robert Schumann
Scenes from Childhood: Dreaming - Robert Schumann
Scenes from Childhood: Almost Too Serious - Robert Schumann
Scenes from Childhood: The Poet Speaks - Robert Schumann
Ashokan Farewell - Jay Ungar
Laura - David Raksin
Julia Florida - Danny Infantino
Memory [From Cats] - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Themes from the Film "Titanic": Themes - James Horner

Handel - Joshua / Aler · Baird · Fortunato · Ostendorf · Brewer Chamber Orchestra · Palmer

Average customer rating:

follow up
diamond in rough
An occasional Haendel.

Handel - Joshua / Aler · Baird · Fortunato · Ostendorf · Brewer Chamber Orchestra · Palmer

Manufacturer: Newport Classic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003W2B
Release Date: 1993-10-01

Tracks:

Act One: Ov - Brewer CO/Rudolph Palmer
Act One: Chor: Ye Sons Of Israel, Ev'ry Tribe Attend - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act One: Recitative: Behold, My Friends, What Vast Rewards Are Giv'n - John Aler/John Ostendorf
Act One: Recitative: Matrons And Virgins, With Unweary'd Pray'r - Julianne Baird
Act One: Recitative: Caleb, Attend To All I Now Prescribe - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act One: Accompanied Recitative: So Long The Memory Shall Last - John Aler
Act One: Recitative: But Who Is He? - Tremendous To Behold! - D'Anna Fortunato
Act One: Recitative: Joshua, I Come Commission'd From On High - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes/John Aler
Act One: Recitative: To Give Command, Prerogative Is Thine - John Aler
Act One: Chor: The Lord Commands, And Joshua Leads - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act One: Accompanied Recitative: In These Blest Scenes - D'Anna Fortunato/Julianne Baird
Act One: Aria Da Capo: Hark! 'Tis The Linnet And The Thrush - Julianne Baird
Act One: Recitative: Oh Achsah! Form'd For Ev'ry Chaste Delight - D'Anna Fortunato/Julianne Baird
Act One: Fanfare/Recitative: The Trumpet Calls: Now Jericho Shall Know - D'Anna Fortunato/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: 'Tis Well! Six Times The Lord Hath Been Obey'd - John Aler
Act Two: March Of The Ark: Glory To God - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: The Walls Are Levell'd! Pour The Chosen Bands - John Ostendorf

Tracks:

Act Two: Aria: To Vanity And Earthly Pride - Julianne Baird
Act Two: Recitative: Let All The Seed Of Abrah'm Now Prepare - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: Joshua, The Men, Dispatch'd By Thee To Learn - John Ostendorf/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: Whence This Dejection? - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Two: Recitative: Now Give The Army Breath - D'Anna Fortunato
Act Two: Recitative: Indulgent Heav'n Hath Heard My Virgin Pray'r - Julianne Baird
Act Two: Recitative: Surely I'm Deceiv'd! With Sorow I Behold- - John Ostendorf/D'Anna Fortunato
Act Two: Recitative: Brethren And Friends, What Joy This Scene Imparts - John Aler/John Ostendorf
Act Two: Solo And Chor: Oh! Thou, Bright Orb, Great Ruler Of The Day - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Chor: Hail! Mighty Joshua, Hail! - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Aria Da Capo: Happy, Oh Thrice Happy We - Julianne Baird
Act Three: Recitative: Caleb, For Holy Eleazar Send - John Aler/John Ostendorf/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Recitative: Oh Caleb, Fear'd By Foes, By Friends Ador'd! - D'Anna Fortunato/John Ostendorf
Act Three: Chor: Father Of Mercy, Hear The Prayer We Make - The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Recitative: In Bloom Of Youth, This Stripling Has Acheiv'd - John Aler/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes
Act Three: Recitative: Welcome, My Son! My Othniel Good And Great! - John Ostendorf/D'Anna Fortunato/Julianne Baird
Act Three: Recitative: While Life Shall Last, Each Moment Will Improve - D'Anna Fortunato/Julianne Baird
Act Three: Recitative: While Lawless Tyrants, With Ambition Blind - John Ostendorf/The Palmer Sgrs/Cynthia Richards-Hewes

Customer Reviews:

follow up.......2003-12-14

Oops, sorry, forgot about the soloists. John Aler has a brighter tenor sound, not as dark as Robert Tear, but the way he handles the recitative text is very similar. Both he an John Ostendorf are a little heavy on the vibrato for my taste, but their diction is not that much skewed by it. J. Ostendorf is a heavy, rich bass, which is striking when you first hear it against Aler's brighter lyric voice. It almost seems wooly, but he steers it away from any Wagnerian tendancies to create a striking bu handsome compliment. Baird is gorgeous- it's that simple. She is not my favorite, but she comes real close. With a voice reminiscent of Emma Kirkby and expression along the lines of Janet Baker, it's a refreshing treat among all these increasing Helden-Sopranos who think that baroque music gives them an excuse to through all delicacy out the window. Over all, this recording is more of a 4 1/2, and I think the most well balanced one may come across.

diamond in rough.......2003-12-14

The conductor may be no Raymond Leppard, but he's preferable by a great stretch than some of these other "new baroque" recordings out there where everything is a forte marcato allegretto. He maintains the baroque atmosphere, much like Harnoncourt's sound (is this he? I don't know who the conductor is). The chorus also has the baroque sound, but my goodness! Thank God for a chorus with proper vowels and a nice sound! Much better than some Deutsche Grammaphon choruses I've heard. If you like the Monteverdi Choir with Gardiner, you'd probably like this chorus as well (I myself am a choister and soloist specializing in oratorio and other such sacred music).

An occasional Haendel........1999-10-26

The enclosed booklet is too poor. The singers are only good (the best is the soprano). Only good also the conductor . In this way this Haendel's work seems a minor one. Is really so?