Arcana

Arcana

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Sensory features BOTH the European bonus track 'Velvet Eyes of Dawn' and the Japanese bonus track 'The Whisper of the Ages'. These additional tracks make this the definitive edition of 'Arcana'. Edenbridge's debut 'Sunrise in Eden' blew away the world with their intoxicating blend of liquid guitarwork, soaring female vocals, symphonic keyboards, and a driving rhythm section. With their new follow-up Arcana, Lanvall & Co. has taken Edenbridge to the next level. Although in many ways similar to Eden the band has increased the speed factor and power. The album features fantastic production by Dennis Ward Angra, Pink Cream 69.

Tracks:

Overture To 'Tannhauser'
Domna, Pos Vos Ay Chausida
We Don't Merely Use Instruments, We Play On Them. And They Play On Us.
Hungarian Dance No.7
The Violin Is One Of The Most Tender And Beautiful Instruments Ever Invented.
Violin Concerto In D Major (Adagio)
But For A Long Time It Was Seen As The Instrument Of The Devil.
The Soldier's Tale: Triumphal March Of The Devil
The Manipulative Seductiveness Of The Gypsy Violin.
Csardas Music
The Violin And The Initiation Of Nature
The Four Seasons (Spring, Mvt 1)
Birds Are Again Evoked In The Second Concerto, Especially Music's Natural Favourite.
The Four Seasons (Summer, Mvt 1)
Like The Devil, The Violin Is A Master Of Disguise.
Old Viennese Dance No.3 'Schon Rosmarin'
The Menacing Sensuality Of Ravel's Tzigane: A Very Different Side Of The Violin:
Tzigane
Do We Now Have The True Measure Of This Instrument? Not Just Yet.
Caprice No.24
The Many Effects Of The String Tremolando: Brandenburg Concerto No.4 (Last Mvt)/From Joy To Fright/Quartettsatz In C Minor/The String Tremolo Practically Spells The World Agitato.
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No.7)
Prokofiev's Tremolo In Romeo And Juliet Should Not Be Heard Just Before Bedtime.
Romeo And Juliet: Act IV
Vivaldi Use It To Illustrate The Shivering Of Travellers Crossing The Ice.
The Four Seasons (Winter, Mvt 1)
The Violin Muted
Clair De Lune
The Gentleness Of Muted Strings Persists Even When A Whole Orchestra Plays.
Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467 (Slow Mvt)
The Pizzicato Violin
Pizzicato Polka
In Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, The Accompaniment Is Pizzicato.
Violin Concerto No.2 In G Minor (Slow Mvt)
Varieties Of Pizzicato: Colas Breugnon (The People's Feast)/Now A Drier, Leaner, Hungrier Pizzicato. There's Not A Lot Of Comfort Here./Capriol Suite (Tordion)/The Use Of Pizzicato As 'Percussion'/Romeo And Juliet (Act I)/Mahler Used Pizzicato...
The Planets (Mars - The Bringer Of War)
The Technique Of Double-Stopping Enables The Violin To Play Duets With Itself./Sonata No.3 In C Major For Unaccompanied Violin (Fugue)/Now A Later Example Of The Same Technique
Hungarian Dance No.4
Double-Stopping Is A Standard Feature Of A Lot Of Folk Music.
The Four Seasons (Autumn, Mvt 1)
Now The Same Technique, But The Sound Might Have Come From Another World.
Bolero
Double-Stopping Can Only Approximate The Sound Of A Real Violin Duet.
Cadenza To The Violin Concerto By Brahms
Now Compare That With A Real Violin Duet.
Forty-Four Duos (No. 1: Teasing Song)
Another Duo By Bartok, Demonstrating The Violin's Rich Lower Register
Forty-Four Duos (No.2: Maypole Dance)
And Now What May Be The Most Beautiful Accompanied Violin Duet In History
Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
The Soul Of The Violin Is In Song; But What About This Weird Passage?
Violin Concerto No.1 In D Major (Mvt 2)
The Use Of Harmonies In The Orchestra Can Be Both Magical And Unsettling.
Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 1, Opening)
Tchaikovsky's Use Of Harmonics In The Sleeping Beauty Is Both Strange And Darling.
The Sleeping Beauty (Act II, No.15: Entr'Acte)
Ravel's Harmonics In Mother Goose Effect A Magical Transformation.
Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
Stravinsky's Harmonics In The Firebird Transport Us Almost Into Another World./The Firebird (Introduction)
The Natural Upper Notes Of The Violins Have A Unique Emotional 'Grab'.
Also Sprach Zarathustra (Of The Afterworldsmen)
Still In Their Upper Register, The Violins Unleash The Energy Of A Young Colt.
Variations On A Theme Of Frank Bridge (No. 4)
Elsewhere, Britten Uses The Same High Register To Create A Very Different Mood.
Four Sea Interludes (Dawn) From 'Peter Grimes'
To End This Outing With The Violins, A Charming Little Elfin Dance
Elfenreigen

Tracks:

Introduction To The Viola
Viola Concerto (Mvt 1)
Khatchaturian Gets A Very Different Sound From It: Fuller, Fruitier, More Exotic.
Gayane Suite No.1 (Armen's Solo)
Very Nearly The Whole Of The Violin's Upper Register Is Also Available To The Viola.
Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'
The Viola Can Bring A Special, Rich Twanginess To Pizzicato That The Violins Lack./Don Quixote/Berlioz Drew Sounds From It That Retain Their Metallic Strangeness Even Today.
Harold In Italy (Mvt 4)
The Muted Viola: Intimate, Gentle, Poignant In Dvork
Cypresses (No.9)
The Massed Violas Of The Modern Symphony Orchestra In Mahler
Symphony No.4 (Mvt 3)
The 'Period' Viola In Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 (Last Mvt)
The Cello: A Voice Of Unique Nobility
Suite No.1 For Unaccompanied Cello (Prelude)
Brahms And The 'Soul' Of The Cello
Piano Concerto No.2 In B Flat Major (Mvt 3)
Most Orchestral Composers Tend To Emphasize The Cello's Lower Register.
Cantata 'Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben', BWV 147 (Soprana Aria: Bereite Dir, Jesu)
In The Time Of Beethoven The Cello Remained As Fundamental As Ever.
Symphony No.3 'Eroica' (Finale)
But The Cello Is Not Condemned To Spend Its Life In The Basement.
Elfentanz, Op.39
Not Only In Recital Showpieces Like That Is The Cello Is Used In Its Highest Register.
The Protecting Veil (Opening)
A Cello With An Identity-Crisis: The Pizzicato Flamencan
Flamenco
Double-Stopping In The Lower Reaches Of The Cello's Range
Solo Suiet For Cello And Piano (Sardana)
It's In The Middle Register That The Cello Really Comes Into Its Own.
Oriental Dance, Op.2 No.2
It Was To The Cellos That Beethoven Gave Two Of His Most Famous Themes./Symphony No.5 (Mvt 2)/Still More Famous Than That Theme Is This One From The Ninth Symphony.
Symphony No.9 (Finale)
Introduction To The Double-Bass
The Carnival Of The Animals (The Elephant)
But The Double-Bass Can Be Intensely Expressive And Graceful.
Elegy No.1 In D Major
The Range Of The Double-Bass Is The Greatest Of All The String Instruments/Allegro Di Concerto, 'Alla Mendelssohn'/And It's Also Capable Of Very Considerable Virtuosity.
Capriccio Di Bravura
Double-Bass Solos In Orchestral Scores Are Rare But Often Memorable./Symphony No.1 'Titan' (Mvt 3)/In His Third Symphony Mahler Makes A Very Different Use Of The Instrument./Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1)
The Double-Bass Muted In Prokofiev/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Kije's Wedding)/In Another Work Prokofiev Uses The Double-Bass To Enhance The Winds./Romeo And Juliet (Act III)/And He Combines The Bass Clarinet With A Shivering Tremolo From The Double-Basses....
Symphony No.5 (Mvt 3)/So Much For The Strings/On Now To The Winds

Tracks:

The Antiquity And Magic Of The Flute
Prelude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune
The Versatility And Agility Of The Flute
Orchestral Suite No.2 In B Minor (Badinerie)
The Flute In Fifteenth-Century Spain
Sa'Dawi
Other Flutes: The Bass And Alto
Chamber Music No.II
The Piccolo - Aptly Named
La Naissance D'Osiris (Mvt 6)
From A Piccolo Of The Eighteenth Century To One Of Its Descendants In The Twentieth
Suite No.1 For Small Orchestra (Valse)
A Variety Of Techniques
Chamber Music No.II
Flutter-Tonguing. But Tchaikovsky Got There Eighty Years Before.
The Nutcracker (Act II, No.2: Scene)
From The Transverse To The Vertical: The Baroque Recorder
Recorded Suite In A Minor (Menuet II)
An Unfamiliar, Early Vision Of The Instrument
Naelden, Naelden
The Bachian Oboe
Cantata 'Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott', BWV 80 (No.7: Duetto)
Introduction To The Cor Anglais Or 'English Born'
Symphony No.9 'From The New World' (Mvt 2)
The Loneliness Of The Cor Anglais
The Swan Of Tuonela
The Cor Anglais Joins The French Horn In Haydn.
Symphony No.22 'The Philosopher' (Opening)
Introduction To The Oboe D'Amore, Beloved Of Bach - But Also Of Ravel
Bolero
The Clarinet Family: Boxing The Compass, From The Depths Of The Bass Clarinet.../The Egyptian (Violence)/...To The Raucous And Squealy.../Taras Bulba (The Death Of Ostap)/...To The Shrill And Complaining...
Petrushka (No.8: Peasant With Bear)/...To The High Sprits Of A Playful Puppy./Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)/And To The Downright Jazzy/Romeo And Juliet (Act II)
As The High Clarinets Tend To Be Loud, So The Bass Tends To Be Soft:
Gayane Suite No. 1 (Mvt 5)
The Bass Clarinet Is Used By Most Composers Mainly As A Colouring Agent.../Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/...But It Does Occasionally Get A Whole Tune To Itself./Iberia (Almeria).
The Range Of The Normal Clarinet Parts Goes Quite High...
The Snow Maiden (Scene 5: Melodrama)
...And Quite Low.
Peter And The Wolf (The Cat)
The Clarinet As Concerto Soloist
Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
But That's Not The Instrument Mozart Wrote It For; This Is:
Clarinet Concerto In A Major (Rondo)
Introduction To The Saxophone
Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 4)
The Soprano Saxophone Has Quite A Different Feel To It.
L'Arlesienne Suite No.1 (Minuet)
The Little Sopranino Sax Goes Even Higher.
Bolero
The Most Famous Use Of The Saxophone Is In An Orchestration By Ravel.
Pictures At An Exhibition (The Old Castle)
The Saxophone Can Be Quite Contagiously Good-Humoured.
Sax-O-Phun
The Puffa-Puffa Image Of The Bassoon
Peter And The Wolf (Grandfather)
The Bachian Bassoon, In Accompanimental Mode
Cantata 'Weichet Nur, Betrubte Schatten' ('Wedding Cantata'), BWV 202 (Aria No.1)
Bizet Leaves The Puffa-Puffa Image Out, Allowing The Bassoon To Sing./Carmen Suite No.1 (Les Dragons D'Alcala)
And Ravel, Also In Spanish Mode, Does Likewise.
Bolero
The Bassoon As A Voice Of High Seriousness, Indeed Desolate Loneliness
Symphony No.3 (Opening)
The Eerie Bassoon In Its Highest Register
The Rite Of Spring (Opening)
Stravinsky Now Draws On Its Lowest Register, Lonely And Melancholy.
The Firebird Suite (1919, Berceuse)
The Bassoon As Concerto Soloist, Avoiding All Exaggeration
Bassoon Concerto In G Minor (Finale)
The Deep-Voiced Contra-Bassoon, As A Fairy-Tale Beast
Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Beauty And The Beast)
The French Horn Under Its Woodwind Hat
Wind Quintet, Op.43 (Last Mvt)
Now A More Prominent Role, In A Woodwind Quintet From An Earlier Era
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Mvt 2)
The Horn In Harmonious Blend With Strings In Another Quintet
Horn Quintet, K.407 (Finale)

Tracks:

The Trumpet As Virtuoso Soloist
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Last Mvt)
The Special Brillance Of Paired Trumpets
Concerto In C For Two Trumpets, RV537 (Mvt 1)
The Ceremonial Trumpet
Fanfare For The Common Man
Trumpets And Drums - An Incomparable Alliance
Messiah (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
The Versatility Of The Trumpet, From The Most Public To The Most Lonely
Piano Concerto In F (Slow Mvt)
The Trumpet As The Voice Of The City/An American In Paris/The Trumpet As Recruitment Officer/The Soldier's Tale (The March)/The Trumpet As Swaggerer
Carmen Suite No.2 (Habanera)
The Trumpet As The Voice Of Strength And Courage
Carmet Suite No.2 (Toreador's Song)
The Trumpet Muted/Petrushka (No.4: The Blackamoor)/Lieutenant Kije Suite (Opening)/The Trumpet As The Voice Of Weariness
Billy The Kid
The Trumpet As Character Actor
Pictures At An Exhibition (No.6)
The Trumpet As The Voice Of God
Mass In B Minor ('Et Exspecto')
The Birth Of The Trombone
Aenmerckt Nu Hier
The Birth Of The Brass As A Family
Canzon 12 In Double Echo
The Trombone In The Eighteenth Century
Trombone Concerto In B Flat Major (Finale)
The Tone Of The Tenor Trombone/Romance For Trombone And Organ/The Memorable Voice Of The Bass Trombone/Requiem (Mvt 2)/But The Bass Trombone Is More Than An Instrumental Bullfrog.
Hosannah
The Trombones Become Part Of The Orchestra.
Symphony No.5 (Finale)
The Wagnerian Trombone:/Overture To 'Tannhauser'
The Trombone As Caricaturist
Pulcinella (No.19: Vivo)
The Trombone As Raspberry/Concerto For Orchestra (Intermezzo)
The Horn And The Hunt
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495 (Finale)
The Challenging Horn Of The Baroque
Abaris Ou Les Boreades (Menuet)
The Scarcity Of First-Rate Players In Handel's Time
Walter Music (Minuet 1)
The Horn As Magician/The Firebird Suite (1919, Finale)
Horns And The Sound Of Nobility
Overture To 'Tannhauser' (Opening)
The Special Sound Of The Horn In Its Higher Register
Mass In B Minor ('Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus')
The Trumpet-Like Sound Of Massed Horns
Symphony No.3 (Mvt 1, Opening)
The Tuba - Unfairly Maligned?
Symphony No.6 (Mvt 3)
The Tuba Perfectly Cast By Ravel
Pictures At An Exhibition (Bydlo)

Tracks:

Introduction. And We Begin With A Bang.
Fanfare For The Common Man/The Bass Drum On The Battlefields/Wellington's Victory, Op.91 (Opening)
At The Opposite Extreme Is The Triangle.
Piano Concerto No.1 In E Flat (Scherzo)
Categories Of Percussion: Tuned And Untuned. The Side Drum
Overture To 'La Gazza Ladra' - The Thieving Magpie (Opening)
The Side Drum In An Effective But Unexpected Role/Clarinet Concerto (Mvt 1)
The Tambourine. One Of The Oldest Instruments In The World
Den Hoboecken Dans
Even Older Is The Originally Oriental Gong.
Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
No Single Instrument Can Match The Gong In Evoking The Breaking Of Waves./Passacaglia, Op.33b From 'Peter Grimes'/But Gongs Don't Have To Be Struck To Be Effective.
Gymnopedie No.2
The Cymbals Are Generally Discovered Early In Life./The Sanguine Fan/And They Do More Than Clash Together Loudly. They Can Be Clashed Together Softly./Studio Example: But They Needn't Be Clashed Together At All/Studio Example: They Can Be Lightly...
Other Untuned Percussion Instruments Include The Whip.: Piano Concerto In G Major (Opening)/And Here Are No Fewer Than Twenty, Cracked By Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Act I, Scene 5)
More Versatile Than The Whip Are The Wood Blocks.../Studio Example/...Which Crop Up All Over The Place In Twentieth-Century American Music.
Rodeo (Hoe-Down)
Related To The Wood Blocks, By Sound, Are The Castanets./Jota Aragonesa/But The Castanets Were Also Used By Monteverdi Back In The Seventeenth Century.
Scherzi Musicali (Damigella Tutta Belle)
A Still Earlier Example From Fifteenth-Century Spain
Yo M'Enamori D'Un Aire
The Birth Of The Bongo
Symphonic Dances From 'West Side Story'
From The Streets Of New York To The Blacksmith's Shop/Il Trovatore ('Anvil Chorus')
Desert-Island Decibels: Grand Canyon Suite (On The Trail)/Arcana
From One Vegetable To Another: The Humble Squash, Or Marrow/Huapango
Onwards To The Tuned Percussion. First, The Timpani
Also Sprach Zarathustra (Introduction)
But The Drum Roll Can Be More Effectively Frightening Than The Big Bang.: Symphony No.2 'Resurrection' (Mvt 3)
Not One Drum Roll, But Many/Grand Canyon Suite (Sunrise)/Symphonie Fantastique (Last Mvt)
Taking Advantage Of Tunability
Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Mvt 2)
The Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Takes A Downward Turn./Carmen Suite (Changing Of The Guard)/Tuned, Yes; But For The Truly Melodic We Must Look Elsewhere.
Introducing The Glockenspiel/Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
Saint-Saens And The Xylophone
The Carnival Of The Animals (Fossils)
Ravel And The Xylophone
Ma Mere L'Oye - Mother Goose (Laideronette)
Introducing The Marimba/Carmen Suite (First Intermezzo)
Introducing The Vibraphone
The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Narange Dolce)
The Vibraphone Goes Russian.../Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)/...And Is Joined By The Marimba./Carmen Suite (Carmen's Entrance And Habanera)
Introducing The Hungarian Cimbalom
Folk Dances
The Cimbalom And The Symphony Orchestra
Hary Janos Suite (Mvt 3)
Introducing The Tubular Bells
Hary Janos Suite (Viennese Musical Clock)
A More 'Up-Front' Approach From Rodion Shchedrin
Carmen Suite (Introduction)
But The Bells Can Also Make The Sinister Even More Sinister./Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
Introducing The Celeste
The Nutcracker (Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy)
Magic, In The Use Of Collective Percussion
Miroirs (La Vallee Des Cloches)
Plucked Instruments: The 'Undercover Percussion'/Carmen Suite (Scene)
A Prime Case In Point Is The Harp, Irresistible To The Romantics./The Nutcracker (Act II, No.1: Scene)/The Non-Solo Harp As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Hungarian Rhapsody No.1
The Traditionally Subservient Role Of The Harpsichord In The Baroque Orchestra
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 (Slow Mvt)
The Piano: King Of The Tuned Percussion/Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Mvt 3)/And A Quarter Of A Century After That:
Petrushka (Russian Dance)
The Anti-Romantic Piano As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra
Music For Strings, Percussion And Celeste (Last Mvt)

Tracks:

Keyboard Instruments In The Orchestra - The Most Powerful Of Them All:
Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Finale)
But Things In Handel's Day Were Very Different.
Organ Concerto In B Flat, Op.4 No.3 (Last Mvt)
The Organ Is Difficult To Classify.
An Unexpected, Organ-related Guest
Concerto Pour Zampogna (Last Mvt)
Peasant-Fancying... And A Touch Of The Roaming Cowboy
Les Miserables (Drink With Me)
Outside Artefacts And The Power Of Association
Mahler's Sleighbells
Symphony No.4 (Opening)
A Roll-Call Of Some Unusual Guests/The Typewriter/Parade
Chains, And More/Integrales/An American In Paris/Sandpaper Ballet
Purpose-Built Oddities: Wind Machines/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Opening)
Don Quixote (Variation VIII)
National Calling Cards: The Guitar For Spain/Concierto De Aranjuez (Finale)
And The Guitar's Poor American Relative, The Banjo/Washington Breakdown
And Poorer Still, The Mouth Organ/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (Packing Up)
The Balalaika For Russia/Romeo And Juliet (Act II: No.14)
The Maracas For Mexico/The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre (El Desayuno)
The Bongos And Congas And A Whole Wealth Of Other Drums For Africa And Central America/Studio Example
The Sitar Of India/Evening Raga: Bhapoli
The Accordion For France (Especially Paris)/Paris Canaille
The Zither For Vienna/The Third Man (Theme)
The Cimbalom For Hungary/Folk Dances
The Guitar As An Integral Part Of The Orchestra/Rondena
There Are Whole Orchestras Of Balalaikas./Sveit Mesiats
The Effect Of The Wordless Human Voice, Used Purely As An Instrument/Symphony No.7 'Sinfonia Antartica' (Mvt 1)
Nocturnes
Instruments And the Imitation Of Nature. The Clarinet As Cuckoo
The Carnival Of The Animals (The Cuckoo)
The Flute As An All-purpose Aviary
The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aviary)
The Oboe As Duck
Peter And The Wolf (The Duck)
The Recording Of Reality. Does It Work As Well?
The Pines Of Rome (The Pines Of The Janiculum)
The Recording Of Reality Electronically Reborn In New Guises
Cantus Articus - Concerto For Birds And Orchesra (Mvt 2)
Beethoven Turns Avian: Cuckoo, Nightingale, And Quail
Symphony No.6 'Pastoral' (Andante Molto Mosso)
Some Improbable Casting: The Violin As Braying Donkey
The Carnival Of The Animals (Persons With Long Ears)
A Truly Orchestral Hee-haw To Be Reckoned With
Overture To 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
A Thunderstorm In A Million
Symphony No.6 'Pastoral (Allegro-Allegretto)
the Instrumental Depiction Of A Silent World
The Carnival Of The Animals (The Aquarium)
Saint-Saens' Menagerie Takes A Curtain Call.
The Carnival Of The Animals (Finale)

Tracks:

The Grouping Of Instrumental Families. An Additive Approach. First, Two Violins
Forty-Four Duos (No.4)
A Great Contrast, Of Both Pitch And Character: Violin And Viola
Duo For Violin And Viola In B Flat Major, K.424 (Finale, Vars 1 & 2)/Studio Example
Arrival Of The Standard String Trio: Violin, Viola, And Cello
String Trio In B Flat (Menuetto)
The String Quartet: Two Violins, Viola, And Cello
String Quartet In F, Op.18 No.1 (Mvt 3)
The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Viola
String Quartet No.5 In D, K.593 (Adagio)
The String Quintet - When The Extra Instrument Is A Second Cello
String Quintet In C (Mvt 3)
The String Sextet: Two Violins, Two Violas, And Two Cellos
String Sextet In B Flat (Mvt 2)
The String Octet: The Standard String Quaret Times Two
Octet In E Flat, Op.20 (Mvt 1)
Double The String Octet: A Fully Fledged String Orchestra
String Symphony No.2 (Finale)
The Massed Strings Of A Symphony Orchestra
Fantasia On A Theme Of Thomas Tallis
Contrasts Of Pitch And Instrumental 'Colour' In The Woodwind Section
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Op.100 No.5 (Theme)
In The First Variation It's The Horn That Gets The Lion's Share.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 1
In Variation Two The Torch Is Handed To The Bassoon.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 2
In Variation Three The Oboe Leads.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 3
Variation Four: Conversation Before Returning To A Solo-dominated Texture
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 4
And Variation Five is Dominated By The Clarinet.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 5
The Next To Be Featured Is The Virtuoso Flute.
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 6
Individual Farewells And A Closing Chorus
Wind Quintet In A Minor, Variation 7
A Mixed Group: Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, String Quartet, And Double-Bass
Octet In F (Mvt 3)
The Early Classical Symphony Orchestra Of Haydn And Mozart
Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Finale)
Strings, Wind, But No Brass. What Haydn And Mozart Never Knew
Canzon 28
Beethoven's Fifth: Two Horns, Two Trumpets, And Three Trombones Join The Team.
Symphony No.5 (Finale)
From Beethoven To The Massive Orchestras Of Berlioz, Wagner, And Mahler
Beethoven Changed The Face Of The Symphony And The Orchestra Forever
Symphoy No.6 'Tragic' (Mvt 1)
The Cult Of Orchestral Elephantiasis Reaches Its Peak.
Symphony No.1 'Gothic' (VI: Te Ergo Quaesumus)
When Large Doesn't Necessarily Mean Loud: Debussy
Images (Gigues)
A Crisis Of Confidence; The Orchestra's Survival Hangs In The Balance, But It Still Develops. The Ondes Martenot:
Turangalila Symphony (Chant D'amour 1)
The Advent Of The 'Early Music' Movement Brings A New Vitality And Freshness.
Balle De Xerxes (Gavotte En Rondeau)
Computer And Synthesiser: Friends Or Foes?
Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (Largo)
A Speculative Look Ahead/Mass In B Minor ('Dona Nobis Pacem')

Customer Reviews:

Instruments of the Orchestra - Great Reference Material!.......2007-04-04

This set lends itself to greatly enhancing one's knowledge of the orchestra, instruments in it, and their usage. I am a huge music buff, and I still picked up a great deal I previously did not know. I highly recommend this for all who wish to understand the origin of music, as well as the processes that are employed to create music!

Beginner or Expert.......2007-03-12

This CD is excellent for the beginner or expert! To be able to haear the instrumets separately and then together really provides a good education. and/or refresher. The book thaty comes with the CD is alomost worth the price by itself!

Very Informative and Enjoyable.......2006-11-20

Whether you're a music novice or pro, "The instruments of the Orchestra" is a very worthwhile purchase. The 7 CDs, with a total of 8 hours, are expertly narrated by Jeremy Siepmann. He's a great speaker, very much like the late Leonard Bernstein was. Mr. Siepmann takes you on an unforgetable musical journey covering the origins and use of the various orchestral instruments throughout musical history. The balance between his narration and a wealth of musical examples, which range from snippets to entire movements, is superb. The comprehensive enclosed booklet is excellent and faithfully follows the 7 CDs in content. Even with my 40+ years of music training I still learned new things from this wonderful collection. Considering the excellence of the content, and a cost that translates to about $5 per disc, this collection is a great value. Grab it, you won't regret that you did. Five solid stars!

Frank's view.......2006-08-19

This boxed set of CD's with booklet achieved all I had hoped that it would. There are good samples of individual instruments and well done commentary on each. The only drawback was that some of the samples were too brief and could have been longer, hoiwever I guess this fits in with time constraints of the medium. It has given me a lot of clues as to future purchases of CD's for listening to individual instruments. Altogeth a satisfactory purchase and a welcome addition to my collection.

Excellent Intro for Those Not Familiar with the Orchestra.......2003-11-08

I've listened to classical music for years and am interested in composition. I bought this CD set to learn how an orchestra and its instruments work. I thought the CDs would be a nice but boring lecture. They aren't! Not only are they FUN but they are informative as well. I learned a huge amount from each CD and couldn't wait to listen to the next one.

The narrator and writer is a great speaker and holds your attention well. He is definitely knowledgeable. He provides musical examples for each point he makes, so you get to "hear" what he just talked about. I'd say the CDs are about 65% music and 35% narration. You'll learn about the range of instruments, some history, different ways to play them, how they sound, and how they are used in the orchestra. This CD set was a great learning experience and is sold at such a low price!

I recommend this CD for those who want to learn about classical music and those who know about it but are interested in learning more about the inner workings of an orchestra. You'll learn much useful information. For instance, the Rite of Spring (with that eerie start) is written for bassoon! I never knew a bassoon could sound like that but now I do.

Tracks:

Transylvania Overture
The Voyage
Gossamer Mist
The Black Coach
Sentinels of Stone
Into the Shadows
Castle Dracula
Visitors in the Night
Brides to Darkness
Grande Masquerade
Memento Mori
The Howling
Nocturne
Bats in the Belfry
Gothic Sanctum
Gypsy Caravan
From Dusk Till Dawn
Night of the Wolf
Echoes from the Crypt
Shadow Hunters
Lair of the Vampire

Album Description

Embark on a musical journey into the mysterious and forbidden land of vampires, werewolves and witches. This powerful, eerie and darkly romantic soundscape offers 21 tracks of symphonic orchestrations, gothic choirs and haunting sound effects, inspired by Bram Stoker's classic novel, Dracula.

Customer Reviews:

NOX ARCANA THE ULTIMATE MOODLIFTER.......2007-06-27

Theres not enough words to put down on what this group means to me....I wirte some of my best works by their music.

Vampire country.......2007-05-10

Books don't usually have soundtracks. "Dracula" definitely didn;t.

But when listening to Nox Arcana's "Transylvania," all I could think of was Bram Stoker's quintessential vampire, and the hauntingly creepy atmosphere of the book. The band forms plenty of rich neoclassical tunes, around a hazy storyline about (what else?) vampires.

It opens with a creepy organ, some smooth violins sweeping up from behind. A deep voice intones, "Darkness descends upon the land, wrap the world in night's black embrace... the restless dead stir within their ancient tombs, and creatures born of shadow rise to quench their savage hunger..." Imagine Bela Lugosi rising from a coffin.

It's followed up by some warmup songs -- the darkly enticing "Voyage," which expands out into an epic, eerie sweep, and the ghostly piano of "Gossamer Mist." The songs that follow are just as richly imagined -- ghostly fast-paced strings, magnificently dark organ and grim gypsy music, laced with church bells, shimmering vocals and ghostly little breezes.

Listening to "Transylvania" is like walking slowly through a cobwebbed, shadowy castle, and listening to Dracula playing a pipe organ in a dusty ballroom, with his brides singing accompaniment. It's not too hard to imagine that you're Jonathan Harker, after hearing songs like "Echoes From the Crypt."

Their music is an lush dusty tapesty of gothic instrumentation. Rich, hollow organ, shimmering harp, strings both windy and rapid, fast-moving percussion, a delicate piano, and some dark shimmers of keyboard all blend together into haunting slow-turning melodies. And as if that weren't good enough, they sprinkle the music with the flutter of bat wings, church bells, ghostly murmurs, and delicate music-box tinkles.

Fortunately Nox Arcana doesn't wreck all this eerie atmosphere with typical singing. Instead we get the occasional deep-voiced intonations, sort of like the introduction. And there are some delicate female vocals -- they murmur softly one minute, only to rise into echoing, wordless solos the next. It's absolutely stunning.

Nox Arcana's "Transylvania" does a brilliant job of capturing the ideal vampire-gothic atmosphere -- creepy and beautifully refined, with no kitschiness. The ideal soundtrack to Bram Stoker's classic (not to mention Halloween).

This soundtrack drains your blood dry, it's that awsome!.......2007-01-28

I have this one, its great. It's not only good for Halloween but its good for when you go to sleep at night, it actually puts you into another realm of dreams and nightmares. It helps you sleep and not only that, it gives you something to relax your body with. It's very good for one of those stormy and rainy or snowy nights. I am an artist and I use it to create monster theme pictures and other creepy drawings. It helps me put myself in that state of mind were I can listen to this and let my imagination flow. If you like this one you will really love the CARNIVAL OF LOST SOULS, WINTER KNIGHT. I still have to get the winter knight one. These soundtracks are classics, not that many peopl listen to them. They are for the soul purpose to escaping the real world and entering another of the bizzare and strange. They are just good to listen too, when ever you feel like it. But this is a good tool for some people who have trouble sleeping at night. But if you listen to the children of the night, and what lovely music they made, you will deffently get your money's worth on all 3 cd's Translyvania, Winter Knight, Carnival of lost Souls... It's worth it.

Wonderful Halloween Fare.......2006-11-01

You can hear a constant improvement in the musical quality of Nox Arcana's CD. This one, particularly, is a big step over Necronomicon. Not that Necronomicon is bad, but Transylvania is really good.
I'm glad I found Nox Arcana (quite by accident, I did a search for Halloween on Amazon and this was one of the hits) they are a treasure.

Yet another great album!.......2006-08-11

Nox Arcana is truly a original band for the era. The music is never boring and you always find something new when listening to it that you may not have heard before. Vargo is a very gifted artist in all the work he does and I for one am glad he formed his own band. The creative work behind the cd's really comes through not just in the music but in the album designs. Midnight Syndicate lost one of the most creative person's behind their success, but by starting the band Nox Arcana at least none of the fans are suffering. Keep up the great work and I look forward to the next album.

Average customer rating:

D&D extraordinaire
A stunning musical achievement!
Breathtaking!
There's only one word that fits for this one. That word is: Epic!!!
Mighty Malefik Musick...

Blood of the Dragon
Nox Arcana
Manufacturer: Monolith Graphics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Blood of Angels
Carnival Of Lost Souls
Winter's Knight
Transylvania
Darklore Manor

ASIN: B000L22PE6
Release Date: 2006-11-27

Tracks:

Ancient Legacy
The Quest Begins
Citadel of Secrets
Sorcerer
Treasure of the Four Crowns
Highland Storm
Mist Loch
Underworld
The Mystic's Keep
Stygian Depths
Legions of Darkness
Steeds of Thunder
Rogue's Hollow
Warrior's Dawn
The Siege
Dragon Riders
Flame Tongue
Defenders of the Realm
Chamber of the Immortals
Blood of the Dragon
Eternal Champions

Album Description

In the time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies and kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to answer the call. For honor and vengeance they ventured forth with steel and sorcery to combat the merciless legions of darkness. For it was said that those who answered the call were possessed of the warrior spirit, and the blood of the dragon flowed through their veins.

Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski have composed an epic soundscape of powerful orchestrations, chanting choirs, mystical melodies and medieval minstrel songs that sets the perfect mood as you traverse dark kingdoms ruled by wizards and warriors to battle alongside barbarian hordes, elven mages and knights of legend.

Customer Reviews:

D&D extraordinaire.......2007-01-12

Techniclly, you don't need a soundtrack to play Dungeons and Dragons, or maybe a "Lord of the Rings" Monopoly game. But asuming you WANT one, then Nox Arcana's latest, "Blood of the Dragon," is an excellent option -- majestical, fantastical, gothic, and geeky.

It opens with fantasy-rock flourishes, steam hissing, and a chorus of powerful choirlike voices. Very "Lord of the Rings." Then a deep voice says very solemnly: "In a time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies. Kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to answer the call..."

That more or less sets the tone for the rest of the album: Nox Arcana keeps up that high fantasy feel throughout, flavoured with some Celtic sounds. Bagpipe stomp, eerie haunting medieval ballads, shimmering ethereal pop urgent, urgent strings and ominous "Dark Lord" music, darkly intriguing gothic music, frightening fantasy war-march, and new-age balladry.

Nox Arcana has already tackled ghosts, vampires, angels and even sinister Christmas. It's about time that they got to the whole D&D-music style, and they pull it off quite nicely -- atmospheric and heavy, but the guys know when to lighten the mood with some more ethereal songs, and that not every song should be a hard-rocker about a battle -- there are magical moments as well.

In fact, this is sort of a story album, although the story is more or less yours to fill in. Nox Arcana uses heavy percussion, gongs, some well-played bagpipes, harp and hard strings to add intense atmosphere to all of these, and listeners can easily imagine what they represent -- a nighttime chase, underground searches, a misty lake, a beautiful palace, evil armies attacking a castle, or even.... yes, a dragon.

"The Siege" is the pinnacle of this, since it actually sounds like a battle -- war horns, ominous chants, stamping feet. Then the album really takes off, right up to the rousing, inspiring finale "Eternal Heroes" -- it's up to the listener what has happened, but the rousing feeling of it is clear.

Steeped in atmosphere, and rich with solid instrumentation, "Blood of the Dragon" is a must-have for D&D and/or fantasy geeks.

A stunning musical achievement!.......2007-01-02

In just a few short years, Nox Arcana has pioneered and perfected the gothic instrumental genre, and now they have taken the genre to an entirely new level.
"Blood of the Dragon" is an arresting symphonic experience that takes the listener on a journey back to a mythic, medieval world populated by sorcerers, warring knights and lethal dragons. This setting provides a rich canvas for Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski to work their magic, and the composers deliver crisp, memorable melodies brought to life with the most intricate and impressive orchestrations Nox Arcana has yet created. Strings, horns and percussion are backed by stirring choirs and sound effects that easily conjure images of clashing swords, marching armies and awe-inspiring dragons. One of the CD's highlights is "Highland Storm," in which an urgent violin melodically chases a rhythm of pounding war drums, evoking images of horsemen racing across a storm-tossed plain. Another standout piece is the stark, slower-paced "Rogue's Hollow," a haunting mandolin song that showcases Nox Arcana's uncanny ability to craft elegant, meditative melodies that will linger in the listener's mind long after the CD has ended. Jeff Endemann's impressive guest vocal on the ballad-like "Treasure of the Four Crowns" is yet another CD highlight, demonstrating how Nox Arcana can move easily among musical styles, from stirring, symphonic war anthems to moody ballads and minstrel pieces.
"Blood of the Dragon" should have been the soundtrack to Lord of the Rings - it's that good. You have to hear it to believe it.

Breathtaking!.......2006-12-10

Whether it be by sword, sorcery or just plain creative genius Nox Arcana has stirred up an amazing alchemical mix of power-filled and haunting tunes. The bardic voice of guest vocalist Jeff Endemann is so heartbreakingly beautiful on "The Treasure of the Four Crowns" one can just imagine a lone shadow wandering a windswept cliff singing to the soul of those who would answer the call to this ancient quest. Vargo and Piotrowski lay out a feast fit for Kings and Queens- a feast for the ears, the eyes (Vargo's artwork adorns the accompanying booklet) and the heart that hungers for magick, mystery and a majesty of dizzying proportions. Escape to this realm and claim your right to the Blood of the Dragon.

There's only one word that fits for this one. That word is: Epic!!!.......2006-12-07

All those who would seek a majestic musical opus will do well to pay heed. A new tale has been woven by night's most masterful minstrels. 'Tis a grand tale indeed, of mystery, intrigue, danger, honor, glory, vegeance, and treasure beyond the reckoning of many a mortal mind. Behold, "Blood Of The Dragon" stirs from it's ages-long slumber, and what an adventure it is upon which any listener shall be invited to embark.

1. Ancient Legacy - The very first moments of this tell me we are in for a much different tale, and a grand thing it is. The music does not drift in gradually and 'creep' up on us. No, instead a powerful bass drum hit and rousing choral passages immediately throw us right into the middle of this epic. It calls to mind a clear sky with clouds drifting in over a bloodred sunset as we are given a panoramic view of a lush and rugged landscape, then taken into a village where a white-robed bard or sage dark of hair and piercing of eye sits among those gathered about a fire to begin his tale:

"In the time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies and kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to heed the call. For honor and vengeance the ventured forth with steel and sorcery to combat the merciless legions of darkness. For it was said that those who answered the call were possessed of the warrior spirit, and the blood of the dragon flowed through their veins."

This stirring preamble is underscored by a compelling mixture of strings and soft drums. At its conclusion, the piece is closed out brilliantly with more strings, soft percussion, rousing choral work, and the drawing of a sword.

2. The Quest Begins- If I had to use three words to describe this piece, they would be 'pageantry' 'hope' and 'beauty'. It's a wonderful blending of stirring string work, beautiful chorus, majestic horns and blood-pumping drumbs. It is easy for me to depict an army of valliant knights and warriors preparing to venture forth to accomplish the bidding of their king amdist grand spectacle amidst tender farewells to loved ones and the hope of a glorious return.

3. Citadel Of Secrets- This piece really impresses me with effective simplicity. With no more than a choir and a tolling bell, Nox Arcana is able to convey mystery, melancholy, wonder, reverence and power.Within my mind I see a candlelit temple where the guardians of vital ancient knowledge remain ever vigilant and secluded, yet willing and able to aid any who dare to seek them, that they might grant the boon of much needed knowledge and lore.

4. Sorceror- Chorus, drums, and swirling strings do a fantastic 'waltz' here. The chorus is especially majestic and powerful but everything blends wonderfully as the piece to me depicts a wise wizard working his craft expertly, that he might aid those embarked upon a vital quest filled with great peril.

5. Treasure Of The Four Crowns- I'll get right to the point for this one. This is a beautiful ballad. A heart-tugging blend of guitar, exotic percussion and gentle flute is combined with the bardic voice of guest vocalist Jeff Endemann. The blending of that voice with a solemn narration by Joseph Vargo in the middle of this piece works pure magic. It is a beautiful ode to a perilous quest for an ancient artefact prized of many for its power to grant immortality upon the worthy finder.

6. Highland Storm- A majestic musical movement, easily worthy to depict a tale straight out of Celtic myth. Rousing and blood-stirring Highland pipes start us off. The thunder of the bodhran soon appears, first mating with the pipes in a mighty slow thunder, and then picking up in pace to a gallop as it is overlaid with wonderful fidle work. I love the choral and cello work in this one too, and the mix of the Irish Uilleann pipes into it all. Taken together, this calls to mind misty emerald fields, meadows, and mountains through which warriors both mounted and afoot charge into and engage in desperate clash, beneath overcast and weeping grey skies as thunder and lightning mightily sing together, crashing and flashing repeatedly through the heavens.

7. Mist Loch- This is a perfect blend of beauty, mystery, menace and wonder. A beautiful harp passage is mated with a haunting siren's call. I love the feel imparted by the deep bass instrument, and the feeling of ominous dread invoked by it as it couples with a tolling bell Together, thest things show me a murky mist-clad waterway through which a regal songstress guides us with her voice and harp. The question is, to where, and what awaits ahead?

8. Underworld- I was initially surprised how much I love this piece, but love it I do. Despite it's darkly suggestive title, this piece is anything but PURELY dark to the point of becoming drab. It is dark indeed but it has sense of awe and wonder in it and is very much a rousing piece too. Pounding drums and a deep bass instrument that sounds to me a bit luke a tuba in it's depth of tone start us off... blending with strings that give us both a sense of adventure and urgency together. It is as if now the mighty hero has crossed the lake of mist and is entering deep dark caverns, exploring their secrets with his brothers in arms on the way to whatever lies ahead on his quest. The choral work in this peice lends a majestic power and magnifies the intensity tenfold.

9. The Mystic's Keep- Here, we get exotic. The feel to me is heavily Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Arabic. What sounds like a sort of gong is blended with invigorating Middle Eastern style percussion and tambourines. The piece is embellished further by boisterous male and pretty and soft female choral work, as well beautiful guitar and harp in the back of the piece and a rythmic powerful chant performed by co-composer Joseph Vargo in the front. To me, in my mind I see a a dimly lit but welcoming hidden sanctuary, nestled deep within perilous caverns. It is a haven where brave adventures may partake of brief rest and gain new information from a reclusive but wise denizen. The deeper bass drumming is especially strong here.

10. Stygian Depths- This piece is a mood setter as much as anything. It is comprised of the sound of wind, blending with a deeply booming drum and what appears to me to be the sounding of a great and ancient dark battle horn. The wind has an eerie howling moan effect to it that works wonders for the piece. It invokes pure dread as we await the imminent peril that is certain to come our way, and is a perfect segue for us into...

11. Legions Of Darkness - Tense and pounding strings and drums blend with a deep horn and male choir here to take us on this part of the journey. I love how the clash of swords and what sounds like chainmail-guarded footsteps blend with the percussion. A tolling bell makes a nice appearance too. To me this arrangement is dead-on as a fit for the title, depicting a meeting with relentless armies emerging from the depths both to confront and hinder adventurers that would dare to come. The final tolling bell is a very nice touch.

12. Steeds Of Thunder- Here we are aurally gifted and presented with deep rousing horns and thunderous pounding drums. They dance for us with powerful male and female choir and urgent strings. Mighty equine beasts are easily visualized, kicking up great clouds of dust and trodden earth as they gallop across great majestic fields. The powerful chorus compounds the already tremendous strength of this piece.

13. Rogue's Hollow- I am amazed by this. Why, you ask? Two words: Simple beauty. With no more than a pair of guitars, Nox Arcana depicts a homey sanctuary nestled within a lovely glade It is a place of rest come upon after the headlong dash through vast and perilous fileds and lands. It is a welcome and gorgeous quiet moment amidst the bombastic musical storms of the quest.

14. Warrior's Dawn- I see this is the antithesis of "Legions Of Darkness". Thundering drums mate with vigorous strings and choral work possessed of colossal strength. While still solemn in character, I see this piece as noble in its cast as well, while the other was sinister in its own way. The choir in this is very very strong, and I love the blending of the deeper bass drums with the galloping militaristic thunder of the snare drum and the booming resonant voice of what sounds to me like the Irish bodhran or the Japanese taiko. The occasional clash of swords within this piece is a beautiful percussive touch.

15 The Siege - A deep bass drone begins this one. It is soon blending with heavy slow drumming, invigorating but chilling choral chant, and brooding horns. After what sounds like a rousing battle cheer, the drumming kicks into VERY high gear, becoming a thunderous charge. That charge is lent extra power by the blended song of male and female choir, and the tensely swirling strings that drift through the chorus as the pounding percussion intensifies more and more, building to a breath-stealing climax.

16. Dragon Riders- I love this piece. It has resonant millitaristic drumming and urgent strings. They combine with majestic soaring horns and heart-pounding chorus to depict in my mind an army of airborned mighty warriors and the regal beasts they ride into desperate battle, contesting mightily with each other within darkened flame-streaked skies

17. Flame Tongue- This is a great heart-pounder of an ambient 'mood' track. The movement of great wings is combined with distant growls. Eventually they intensify in volume. The heart-stopping climax that also induced a smile of awe for me, comes when a pair of positively mighty roars are given, and combined with crackling flame. It was everything I had envisioned for a moment like this.

18. Defenders Of The Realm- Here we go! Now we get another touch of grand heroism! Deep and pounding drums blend once more with swirling strings and majestic choir as well as some very powerful horn passages. This time, the battle is turning in our favor. You see, we've got some tough hombres on our side too! I love the pure power of this piece It's an invigorating anthem for our land's heroes that I never tire of hearing. My mind depicts mighty heroic warriors rushing to meet the enemy within our keep, engaging in herculean battle within the keep as boiling oil and huge boulders rain down from above...Valiant archers lend their skill as well, firing swiftly and true upon the foes straining to breach our defenses, but failing in the end as our brave and mighty guardians save the day.

19. Chamber Of The Immortals- I will be bold and declare that this is the MOST BEAUTIFUL piece of music that Nox Arcana has EVER done to date. From the very beginning, the floodgates FLEW open for me and they absolutely would not stop. I immediately envisioned a beautiful crowned queen with long flowing hair clad in a pristine white gown standing amidst a magnificent treasure filled chapel-like room with brilliant light streaming in through crystal-forged 'windows' almost like stained glass, but crystalline in nature. I envisioned a mighty, steadfast and most noble warrior being given assurance of undreamed of glory, but that one final peril lay ahead for him to face. An even greater poignancy and power is lent to the peice by the blended chorus, and the soft drums and strings that augment it at the climax. The whole piece is heartstirring and heavily awash in pure loveliness.

20. Blood Of The Dragon- I LOVE 'thematic' compositions. Here, we get one of those, and it is grand and epic in it's power, scope, and stregnth. As with "Ancient Legacy", we are immediately gifted with a solitary bombastic bass drum hit blended with wonderful and regal choral melody. Instead of narration, this time we get to hear a blood-stirring combination of soft strings, drums and choir. Eventually, they all increase in strength and volume, and in power. They blend wonderfully to dominate the piece, mixing to comprise a composition replete with kingly intensity, depicting in my mind a colossal personal final battle between a mighty paladin of justice and a nefarious warrior king of dreaded repute. My favorite part is the POWERFUL chorus but the way the drums and the strings blend with it is absolutely stunning. The deep horns I heard near the end closed it brilliantly. Many times I have cried for awe when listening to this one.

21. Eternal Champions- Here we are, at last... facing the climax of this grand and epic quest. Here, we are at first gently washed over by a pounding three-hit drumbeat that alternates between three, four, five or more beats per measure. That is blended with powerful choir and tolling bells. Very soon, very comes the powerful bombast of regal horns and strings. This will stir the blood for certain. Further power is given bye an intense choral melody and song. I love the sword clashes that are part of the percussiveness of this piece. I adore the heart-pounding blend of everything: Drums, chorus, strings, horns, sword-clash and more. All told, it is a more than fitting closer to the disc. What I really love is how the horns and the strings will 'take turns' withing the piece. On the first 'run' the horns come to the front of the melody while the strings stay in the back. In the second 'run', the strings come to the front and the strings retreat a bit, but never "too much". It is just the right blend. In the final 'run' the horns and strings blend together equally, mixing with everything else to bring the tale to a stunning conclusion. All told, this song is a heroic fanfare very much befitting a victorious warrior and his band of bretheren. In my mind is depicted a mighty paladin of justice and right being gifted by the Lady seen in the Chamber Of The Immortals with the treasure long-sought by many, earning immortality and his rightful place in legend and lore, then freely going home at last with his faithful companions and his valiant bretheren in arms.

There's one thing more that I will say. Do not hit 'stop' on your CD player when Eternal Champions goes quiet. The bonus tracks here are brilliantly done, and they each induced a smile from me in their own way and for their own reason.

In closing, if you are a fan of Nox Arcana, you owe it to yourself to get "Blood Of The Dragon". If you are not a fan, one listen to "Blood Of The Dragon" may be enough to make you a fan forever. It is a step into new territory for Nox Arcana, and what a great and tremendous step it is. They have meticulously crafted a beautiful, majestic, heartpounding, blood-stirring and soul-sooothing epic fantasy musical opus that could easily stand admidst the company of nearly any Hollywood fantasy movie score. It is a fantastic tale unlike any other that I have ever experienced. Come forth and embark upon this epic quest. It shall not be regretted. No, truly 'tis most likely that it shall be loved, as it is with me.

Mighty Malefik Musick..........2006-12-05

The theme of this invigorating Classical / Mideival opus is that of Fantasy-Action-Adventure, with music reminiscent of Highlander at some points, with a distinct Dungeons & Dragons flavor. A veritable soundtrack to warrior escapades into realms of myth and legend, dragons and knights, misty lochs, Sorcerers and maidens fair. Great musick to plunge the depths of the imagination to accompany many mental adventures, with narrations from a veritable "Over Watcher" leads you into places only dreamed of in dark lore fane.

The Ancient Legacy beckons The Mighty as The Quest Begins. The Citadel of Secrets awaits your entrance, towering from knotted vines and black iron gates. Can you translate the ancient runes encribed on yellowed scrolls to lead you to the next great discovery? Deep within the lambent temple dim by flickering torch flame, consult The Sorcerer to find the Treasure of The Four Crowns, where your journey twists along dark paths amidst the Highland Storm unto the enchanting Mist Loch where many mysteries dwell, transmutating fog swirls about you revealing ghostly forms and phantom faces; a gateway to the Underworld opens beyond The Mystic's Keep, leading down through the Stygian Depths where the Legions of Darkness await. Hellfires leap from below with vengeful demonic cries, whose denizens shall soon pillage the land. Steeds of Thunder shake the heavens and quake the earth in their terrible wrath as baneful spectres emerge with eyes aglow in infernal light.

Rogue's Hollow there dwells shrouded in a haze of ancient spell as the Warrior's Dawn glows red, an omen of what is to come. With hearts pounding, The Siege yields Dragon Riders sillhouetted upon the horizon, as the fearsome Flame Tongue spreads across the bloodied land. Defenders of The Realm rise up to battle these shadowy phantoms with warcries echoing through the ages. Within the marble-laden Chamber of The Immortals, the living gods are present, and with the Blood of The Dragon, hail the Eternal Champions evermore.

As usual, the actual CD and booklet are splendidly elegant, filled with marvellous artwork {including a topographical map of Draconia}, and accentuating storylines.

Dare you step through the arcane portal into fabled dangerous dimensions to face nightmarish creatures and bewitching beings who rise up from the Stygian depths? Can you solve the riddle and survive to become part of the legend, or perish where many mighty have fallen...

Average customer rating:

If you love beautiful voices...
If you want to know Corelli's art, this is the right CD
excellent gift
Greatest Tenor of This Century!
Ah... Franco :}

The Very Best of Franco Corelli

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

$9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
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Franco Corelli: Corelli in Concert

ASIN: B00008V5VV
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

A Te, O Cara
Meco All' Altar Di Venere... Me Protegge, Me Difende
Ah Si, Ben mio...De Quella Pira
Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida
Pur Ti Riveggo, Mia Dolce Aida
Intanto Amici... Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante
Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso
Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba
No, Pagliaccio Non Son
Colpito Qui M'avete...Un Di All'azzuro Spazio
Credo A Una Possanza Arcana
Legray!... Andrea Chenier!...Si, Fui Soldato
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Vicino A Te

Tracks:

Donna Non Vidi Mai
Recondita Armonia
E Lucevan Le Stelle
Non Piangere, Liu... Ah! Per L'ultima Volta!
Nessun Dorma
Favorita Del Re!... Spirto Gentil
Cielo E Mar
L'anima Ho Stanca
Non Lunge Della Torre... Bianca Al Par Di Neve Alpina
Ange Adorable
L'amour, L'amour.. Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil!
O Nuit Divine!
C'est La! Salut! Tombeau!
Fronde Tenere... Ombra Mai Fu
Ave Maria
Domine Deus
Core 'Ngrato
Torna A Surriento

Customer Reviews:

If you love beautiful voices..........2007-04-30

and passionate singing, you won't be disappointed. While Corelli certainly had his flaws, they are minor in the larger picture of this unique, magnificent force of nature. Then get this set for your friend who thinks Andrea Bocelli is a great tenor.

If you want to know Corelli's art, this is the right CD.......2007-03-10

Franco Corelli had one of the powerful tenor voices of the twentieth century. Think Mario del Monaco with more beauty and grace; think Richard Tucker with a smoother voice. He had annoying touches in his singing, such as those "catches" here and there. But, with Tucker, he is, in my estimation, one of the two most powerful and attention riveting tenors in the past century. Other tenors were more artistic, provided better characterization (think Domingo, Gigli, Pavarotti, Gedda, Caruso, and some others).

But Corelli was a wonder of nature! Some samples: "Ah si, ben mio. . .Di quella pira." If there were an aria made for Corelli, this would be it. His big, rich, powerful voice fits this cut nicely. Not much subtlety here. In "Di quella pira," he hits the high notes in a stentorian manner. There are those mannerisms, but they are so easily forgiven, taking into account that rich, lustrous voice.

"Celeste Aida" is another representative cut. This is a powerful version. Also, note how he goes from forte to piano at the end of this aria. A powerful effect indeed.

Then, there are the twin arias from "Tosca." In "Recondita armonia," his rich voice is well manifest. He exhibits a smooth line in his singing. This is a powerful version of this well known aria. "E lucevan le stele" displays again that rich voice. At one point, he goes from forte to piano in a mesmerizing manner (Who'd have thought it?). His final "la vita" grabs one's attention.

Finally, "Nessun dorma." Well, smoothly, and powerfully sung. The final "vincero" is powerfully rendered, leaving goose bumps on the spine.

This is the very best of Franco Corelli. Those who want to get a sense of the vocal prowess of one of the most powerful tenors of the 20th century should attend to this double CD set.

excellent gift.......2007-02-09

I gave it to my father and he says Its an amazing cd.

Greatest Tenor of This Century!.......2007-02-03

Franco Corelli is the greatest tenor of this century. Although there are many fine tenors including Carlo Bergonzi - no tenor comes close to singing with the pure heart and animal magnetism of Franco Corelli. Surprisingly, he was also quite comfortable with bel canto, listen to the incredible "A te o'cara". I've heard "Nessun Dorma" sung by many excellent tenors and hands down, none can touch the sublime beauty of Corelli's version. This 2cd set of his greatest arias is a wonderful gift for any opera fan. "Recondita Armonia" is my personal favorite. His thrilling vocal beauty and intensity of performance is truly unforgettable.

Ah... Franco :}.......2007-01-10

Such a pleasing voice. I can't believe the clarity and perfection. He was well before my time and others have become more 'popular' since then, but for some reason his voice seems better than the more current singers. I do not know much about opera so I will have to rely only on my own ears. I happily recommend this double album. I like to have it playing on the 5 CD changer with other opera cds, mixing through them...it is a perfect saturday morning accompaniment. enjoy.

Average customer rating:

remaster
Nox Arcana keeps getting better
A Stunning Debut!
Nox Arcana: The project that truly represents Halloween and for people who simply love classical-oriented Gothic instrumentals
A well-woven dark tale

Darklore Manor
Nox Arcana
Manufacturer: Monolith Graphics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Sound Effects | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Halloween | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Necronomicon
Transylvania
Winter's Knight
The 13th Hour
Carnival Of Lost Souls

ASIN: B0006OHMRY
Release Date: 2004-03-20

Tracks:

Legend
Darklore Manor
Threshold Of The Dead
Trespassers
Veil Of Darkness
Sanctuary Of Shadows
The Grande Hall
Remnants
Phantom Procession
Belladonna
Nursery Rhyme
Music Box
The Forgotten
Nightmare
No Rest For The Wicked
Omen
Seance
Beyond Midnight
Darkness Immortal
Incantation
Resurrected

Album Description

Enter Darklore Manor, where creatures of the night lurk in shadows and ghostly sounds echo through unhallowed halls. Nox Arcana invites you to embark on a musical journey throughout a legendary haunted mansion with a dark and sinister history. This gothic soundscape contains 21 tracks of haunting melodies, eerie voices, Latin chants, and foreboding orchestrations to create a perfect dark and moody atmosphere.

Customer Reviews:

remaster.......2007-05-25

the remastered version is were its at. it actualy sounds eerie.

Nox Arcana keeps getting better.......2007-05-12

They are the best at what they do and this CD is just one more example. You cannot go wrong with any Nox Arcana CD

A Stunning Debut!.......2007-04-17

Nox Arcana's debut CD Darklore Manor is a stunning, chilling instrumental concept album that could easily serve as the soundtrack for a classic haunted house film. Very few debut CDs have the amazing musicianship and technical virtuosity that Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski exhibit on this album. There are unforgettable, elegant piano-dominated melodies like "Veil of Darkness," as well as sinister organ pieces, moody harpsichord songs and elaborate, stirring orchestral set pieces that demonstrate an instinctive mastery of composition and melody. The entire gamut of Gothic music is presented here, and woven throughout the CD's 21 tracks are ghostly sound effects, chilling choirs and eerie narrations, all of which contribute to a mesmerizing musical tapestry. The CD's highlight may be "The Forgotten" - a beautiful, moving piano elegy that you will never forget. Many musicians strive their whole careers for an album this accomplished. The beautifully designed CD booklet by Joseph Vargo and Christine Filipak is another delight - this is an album that shows a rare attention to detail, from the packaging to the mixing. Highly recommended.

Nox Arcana: The project that truly represents Halloween and for people who simply love classical-oriented Gothic instrumentals.......2007-04-09

I was told, by a mysterious voice in the night, that I should seek Nox Arcana and await further instructions. But it all began years ago with the discovery of the Midnight Syndicate. So, I did the obvious and entered "Midnight Syndicate" in my computer search engine, and the lone website introduced itself to me. All went dark and quiet, and the room got cold, and I could see my breath as I panted in fear, and I heard laughter amongst terrifying screams, but yet, I was alone. This was only my introduction to the Midnight Syndicate and soon to follow was the birth of something even better, the nightmareish apparitions of Nox Arcana. I was compelled to bring Nox Arcana into my world, and so I've been in the dark ever since. But, then again, it became a blissful absence from the norm. Although, Halloween is never really mentioned with any of the Nox Arcana CD's, it does seem that everyday is Halloween in my world, and for the past four years, I've always feared that I've sold my soul somehow. I believe that I sacrificed my soul the day I got out my credit card and asked the cyber spirits to bring my first Nox Arcana CD into my home. It was this CD: "Darklore Manor"

Something became different about me. My very presence wasn't acknowledged in any normal way anymore. Was I being ignored, or am I even in the room at all? Something just wasn't right. I've had days that I've stared into the mirror, but somehow, I wasn't there. When I speak to strangers in the street, I don't think that they even acknowledge me. I speak with just a small hiss of words, and people respond as if they've just been pushed by a cold wind. My loved ones speak of me, as if I've departed from this world, but yet, I am in the room. Only when I laugh, do people respond as if they've heard something. They cuddle together, in fear of their safety, and cry out my name, in a past tense, as if I am torturing them. This wasn't fun anymore. It wasn't fun, THEN, anyway.

I wander aimlessly, finally coming to terms with this apparition that I have become. My only consolation, deep into the night, is to take some of my Nox Arcana CD's and my mini-CD player, to the cemetery and lay against a tombstone, and watch the wind swirl up the leaves in a satanic dance before my eyes, while the music plays and eats away at my scruples of logic. I feel a cold embrace of many condemned angels who've cast off all their inhibitions and indulged in lustful passion upon my defenseless mortal flesh. I am consumed into their ritual with reckless abandon. Returning to reality is all nonsense now. My only fear, is that the batteries in my CD player will weaken and diminish this clash of passion of my psychological pleasure and terror.

I am so glad that Nox Arcana has entered my once typical, pop culture world. However, I feel now, that if I should ever die, I may not know the difference. I've been enjoying this nocturnal bliss for a couple of years now and there's no going back. I walk this world in a cold absence where I question if my presence is perceived at all.

If you'd like to share in this experience with me, start off with this CD of "Darklore Manor". Then get "Necronomicon", "Winter's Knight", "Transylvania", "Carnival of Lost Souls", and their latest (as of 2007) called "Blood of the Dragon".

This music is not heavy metal. It's not satanic music. It's just a mix of classically-influenced instrumentals with various snippets of dark poetry and ghastly effects. You'll hear tormented screams, deathly bell tolls, sinister laughter, grandfather clocks, howling winds, and other little clever effects with piano, organ, and harpsichord, supported by rich strings and a mellotron sound, that promote a uniquely beautiful, but yet, horrifying terror that may claim your soul. It's a small sacrifice for the sake of a dark happiness.

Alas, here's one more way that I have benefited from the music of Nox Arcana. By listening to these CD's through headphones at the cemetery, alone, late at night, in the cold dark, there is a terror that I've experienced that has actually helped me lose weight. To be so terrified that my heart pulsated so intensely that I feared my heart would just burst! That, and the accidental soiling of myself, helped me lose about three pounds. Who would have thought that terror could promote weight loss?

So, if it's dark and disturbing, it has a place in my heart.

A well-woven dark tale.......2007-02-22

Though a bit more specific and talky than the Midnight Syndicate CDs (which was my first venture into this kind of atmospheric music), I found Nox Arcana's Darklore Manor to be quite creepy. It tells a story of an house under a curse, and the strange happenings therein. While it leaves less to the imagination than Midnight Syndicate's 13th Hour, it has plenty of frightening tracks for your next horror gaming session or Halloween party.

Average customer rating:

Completely satisfied
Holiday music with that extra magic - creepiness!
Another brilliant Nox Arcana CD!
Music to be enchanted by
Very Good, Different

Winter's Knight
Nox Arcana
Manufacturer: Monolith Graphics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Sound Effects | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
Similar Items:

Transylvania
Darklore Manor
Carnival Of Lost Souls
Necronomicon
Blood of the Dragon

ASIN: B000ALIUR4
Release Date: 2005-07-25

Tracks:

Vigil
Ghosts of Christmas Past
Ebonshire
Solitude
Crystal Forest
First Snow
Evening Star
Reflections of Long Ago
December Winds
Phantom Toccata
Hallowed Ruins
Gregorian Hymn
Spirit of the Season
Coventry Carol
Lullaby
Winters Knight
Past Time with Good Company
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Veni, Veni, Emannuel
Redemption
Carol of the Bells

Product Description

Nox Arcana weaves a musical ghost story with this haunting collection of original melodies, symphonic orchestrations, and Gothic renditions of traditional carols. Winter's Knight contains 21 tracks and over 60 minutes of darkly enchanting music to celebrate the spirit of the season.

Customer Reviews:

Completely satisfied.......2007-04-01

I am very satisfied with this product and recommend it to anyone who likes instrumental and haunting melodies.

Holiday music with that extra magic - creepiness!.......2007-01-26

If you are in a holiday mood, but are heartily fed up with Irish (or even worse: Mariah Carey!) Christmas songs, then you might want to consider this album. It is not a soundeffect album, nor is it program music. A final touch is that it is not cheaply produced, as some more traditional holiday albums.
The music conveys a feeling of cold, dark, and immensly lonely winter. The Christmas is there, but there are undertows of older and more sinister rituals, and whispers call the more unwary listeners to join in...
This album could be a very good way to spice up the celebrations.

Another brilliant Nox Arcana CD!.......2007-01-03

Nox Arcana's versatility has made them a tough act to follow. Whether it be a musical journey into the foreboding land of vampires (Transylvania) or a sinister carnival with a bloody history (Carnival of Lost Souls) or any of their other forays into gothic imaginings, Nox Arcana has taken each concept and breathed impressive, symphonic life into it. Their CDs truly are mini symphonies, with astounding musicianship and intricate orchestrations.

In Winter's Knight, Nox Arcana presents a moody, elegant collection of holiday-themed songs that captures the more mystical, meditative side of Christmas. The CD's strong medieval/classical flavor is refreshing, particularly since most Christmas music nowadays seems dominated by more modern songs. Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski offer great new arrangements of classic pieces like "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel" as well as many of their own moving compositions, such as the memorably haunting "Crystal Forest" and the chilling piano-dominated "Evening Star." Guest vocalist Michelle Belanger also contributes a lovely interpretation of the holiday standard "Past Time With Good Company" and Jeff Endemann's vocal work on "Coventry Carol" is likewise a highlight.

While most Christmas music is, unfortunately, either infantile and annoying or overdone, Winter's Knight provides a refreshing change of piece full of musical elegance and mystical beauty.

Music to be enchanted by.......2006-12-25

As mesmerizing as falling snow, this poetic and magickal soundscape creates a wonderland of lavish treats befitting the Holiday Season. Haunting and sophisticated, there's a certain luster to these songs that reflects the gothically romantic luxury only Nox Arcana can deliver. The addition of neo-bard, Jeff Endemann's spellbinding voice on "Coventry Carol" delivers an extra gift of warmth for those chilly Yuletide evenings. The original score by Vargo and Piotrowski interspersed with classic carols and a booklet of eye-candy artwork by Joseph Vargo makes this a perfect fit for any Holiday Collection, so fill your wassail cup, pull up some moonlight and breathe in the wonder of Winter Knights.

Very Good, Different.......2006-11-04

The idea behind this CD and the music itself are a breath of fresh air in the stagnant holiday music scene. Dark and evocative, it pushes aside the sugarplums and saccharine we're all used to. However, the production leaves quite a bit to be desired. It's all done with computers - the choral parts are lacking in fullness, I can't always tell what the stringed "instruments" are supposed to be, and rather than cadences that would give finality to the piece, the tracks often come to a sudden stop. 3 1/2 stars.

Average customer rating:

NOX ARCANA - 2 GUYS, A COUPLE OF INSTRUMENTS LYING AROUND AND A COMPUTER
First Time Was The Charmer
they just keep gtetting better....
Getting Better All The Time
Nox Arcana's best release yet

Carnival Of Lost Souls
Nox Arcana
Manufacturer: Monolith Graphics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Halloween | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Transylvania
Darklore Manor
Winter's Knight
Necronomicon
Blood of the Dragon

ASIN: B000FOT9EE
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Tracks:

Ghosts of the Midway
After Hours
Harlequin's Lament
Calliope
Madame Endora
Nightmare Parade
Shadows Fall
Hall of Mirrors
Spellbound
Cries in the Night
Soul Stealer
Haunted Carousel
Theatre of Sorrows
Living Dolls
Lost in the Darkness
Snake Charmer
Freaks
Circus Diabolique
Pandora's Music Box
The Devil's Daggers
Storm

Product Description

As dusk settles over the carnival, the once-festive midway begins to exude an eerie sense of menace. Pale green lights eminate from somewhere in the distance, where the murmur of voices echo amidst haunting music and other, more unsettling sounds. Dark rumors of missing children and drifters have followed the carnival from town to town, and though you are well aware of the dangers of tresspassing here, you cannot resist the temptation to explore the circus grounds after dark. Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the circus of the strange, the sideshow of the sinister and the theatre of the bizarre... Cast your eyes upon cruel oddities of nature and behold monstrous creatures from the depths of the abyss. Hear the dark wisdom of gypsy soothsayers as they unveil things yet to come. Marvel with awe and dismay at unbelievable death-defying acts that teter on the very brink of doom. Leave the mundane world behind, for those who visit this festival of phantasms, are never the same again. Step this way, theres no turning back...

Customer Reviews:

NOX ARCANA - 2 GUYS, A COUPLE OF INSTRUMENTS LYING AROUND AND A COMPUTER.......2007-06-29

CHEESEY SPOKEN INTERLUDES ASIDE, THIS NOX ARCANA (WHAT'S THAT?) IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE. HOWEVER, I GET A SENSE THAT MUCH OF THIS IS ALL COMPUTERIZED ORCHESTRATION, IT DOES HALF-HEARTEDLY WHAT IT SETS OUT TO ACCOMPLISH, WHICH IS ULTIMATELY TO CREATE AN OVERWHELMING PITCH BLACK MOOD. THOUGH THIS TYPE OF THING HAS BEEN DONE MANY A TIME OVER (GLENN DANZIG'S BLACK ARIA & EERIE VON'S UNEASY LISTENING FOR EXAMPLE), THOUGH I WOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS EXCELLENT, IT'S OVERALL PRETTY SOLID. HOWEVER, IT LEAVES THE LISTENER WANTING MORE IN THE END, PROBABLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT AS SOON AS YOU FIND YOURSELF ENGROSSED IN THEIR BLANKET OF HAUNTING DRAMA, THE TUNE ABRUPTLY ENDS. I DO HAVE A FEELING THAT IF YOU'VE HEARD ONE N.A. ALBUM, YOU'VE HEARD THEM ALL. I THINK THEY WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE IF THE TRACKS WERE IN EXCESS OF 6 MINUTES RATHER THAN AVERAGING 2 MIN 45 SEC. I'VE READ OTHER REVIEWS WHO CLAIM THE SAME THING (THESE "GAMER" FOLKS). ALL THAT SAID, I THINK I AM CONVINCED AND CURIOUS ENOUGH TO CHECK OUT ANOTHER RELEASE OR 2 BY THESE GUYS. 3 1/2 STARS.

First Time Was The Charmer.......2007-04-21

This was my first time to explore this "spooky" genre in music, as well as the first exposure to Nox Arcana--and, my, what a darkly seductive experience it was. I'm not quite sure what I expected. Something "Gothic" for sure--but would it be art?

It WAS art, art-full, deeply mesmerizing & very entertaining.

AND "Carnival" is technically brilliant.

One of the things I missed when CDs replaced LPs was the creativity that went into the record jackets. Most pop CDs these days offer very little for the eye--but this is not the case in Carnival of Lost Souls. A beautiful little booklet is enclosed loaded with wonderful drawings & other illustrations, as well as a Goth libretto of sorts & many other strange & curious & wonder-full things.

Obviously Nox Arcana knows how to make the Dark Side fun.

I definitely want more...

******************************
Dagon

they just keep gtetting better...........2007-01-08

just when you think you have heard the personal best from Joseph and William, they come up with another. This concept album, is based on the book by Bradbury "Something Wicked This Way Comes". Read the book, see the movie, and then listen to this haunted soundtrack. There is always something very different at the end of every Nox Arcana album. and this one is no different. I was blown out of my seat, and I was driving down the highway at 60 mph! No more shall be given away, I cannot spoil it for others.

ok, a bit of advice (chuckle), play the cd for the first time somewhere OTHER than a car while driving.

Getting Better All The Time.......2006-11-01

"Carnival.." is a much improvement over "Transylvania" and I though Transylvania was really good.
This is great stuff to play in the background while dishing out the Halloween treats to the kids.
I'll eventually get all the Nox Arcana CDs just to complete the set. Based on what I've heard from the 3 I have, they will all be worth it to have.
Great Work guys!

Nox Arcana's best release yet.......2006-10-25

Joseph Vargo is known for his elegant contributions to gothic art and dark music over the years. Several years ago, he and William Piotrowski formed Nox Arcana and have been extremely prolific. It's a testament to both of these guys that their albums have been top of the line, and "Carnival of Lost Souls" is their best release yet. The beautiful cover art indicates the macabre contents within, both visually and musically. And at the very end of the album comes a hidden track, a rock version of "Spellbound" which has an '80's metal sound. Overall a fine album by the masters of dark, musical storytelling.

Average customer rating:

Pure Atmospheric Awsomeness.
A musical tribute to H.P. Lovecraft
The Mythos comes alive!
A Masterful Musical Depiction Of A Terrifying Tome
Simply Brilliant

Necronomicon
Nox Arcana
Manufacturer: Monolith Graphics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Sound Effects | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Halloween | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Darklore Manor
Transylvania
Winter's Knight
The 13th Hour
Carnival Of Lost Souls

ASIN: B0006OHMS8
Release Date: 2004-10-31

Tracks:

Mythos
The Nameless City
Alhazreds Vision
Necronomicon
Ancient Shadows
Azathoth
The Black Throne
Nyarlathotep
Temple Of The Black Pharaoh
Eldritch Rites
The Haunter Of The Dark
The Awakening
Yog-Sothoth
Guardian Of The Gate
Lords Of Darkness
Dagon
The Stars Align
Cthulhu
Ritual Of Summoning
Cthulhu Rising
The Great Old Ones

Album Description

Delve into the Necronomicon, a dark symphony based upon H.P. Lovecraft's forbidden tome of unspeakable horrors. This epic concept album is a spellbinding tribute to the Cthulhu Mythos, featuring a mixture of exotic, dark fantasy themes with 21 tracks of ominous orchestrations, Gothic choirs, Egyptian and Middle-Eastern melodies, eerie voices and otherworldly chants. This musical grimoir is a powerful and sinister soundtrack to evoke your darkest nightmare.

Customer Reviews:

Pure Atmospheric Awsomeness........2007-01-11

A "Must Have" for any Lovecraftian fan, afficianado...Or even if you just like creepy background music. Amid the haunting scores are several well done quotes from the fabled Lovecraftian tome, a chant to Nyarlathotep and the infamous "Ia Cthulhu Phtagn" passage done with 'proper' reverence and fanatascism. Definitely a "mood music" CD but one that sets the mood it intends very well

A musical tribute to H.P. Lovecraft.......2006-11-06

In this, the second CD realease from Nox Arcana, the focus is on Lovecraft and his works. The music explores the deities that roamed the earth when men lived in darkness and served these Gods as slaves. The listener is taken through a musical journey that explores the visions of Alhazred, the Mad Arab. The mythos of the Necronomicon takes you to the realms of Azathoth, Yog-Sothoth, Dagon, and Cthulhu.

I highly recommend this for anyone who has a healthy respect for myth, and can appreciate the dark musical talents of these gifted people. I certainly do.

The Mythos comes alive!.......2006-10-31

This is the perfect companion for sitting down and reading the works of Lovecraft. It makes for wonderful ambience! Excellent.

A Masterful Musical Depiction Of A Terrifying Tome.......2006-09-27

Not long ere this time, we were taken on a journey through the haunted halls of a ruined Victiorian mansion, home of the notorious Darklore family. Now we are invited to once again pay heed to the call of Nox Arcana... masterful and peerless minstrels of the macabre, as they invite us to walk with them once more. This time our journey is into a horrifying yet captivating musical opus depicting the pages of the mythos long ago scrawled by H.P. Lovecraft. Before you now lies, related to us in music, the ancient tome of the Necronomicon. Do you dare to open its pages and gaze upon them?

1. Mythos - Here we stand, at the beginning of a new journey, into both terror and wonder. It is begun with the sound of a howling wind. That frigid gale seems to have a keening quality to it, a moaning sound if you like, and a touch of faint "rumbling". It is soon joined by mournful yet melodious male chorus. Over this floats another voice, that of co-composer Joseph Vargo. He assumes the role of 'storyteller' for us once more, relating for us the following preamble:

"Long before mankind existed, the Old Ones trod upon the Earth. They worshipped the elder gods and served them as slaves, but in time, the Old Ones gained the knowledge of dark magic, and dared to use their sinister powers against their masters. The wrath of the elder gods was merciless and terrible, and those who rebelled against them were banished to distant dimensions, and imprisoned within the darkest recesses of the Earth. In deathless sleep the Old Ones dream and lie in wait for the time when they shall rise again. For when the stars come right, they shall awaken from their eon-old slumber. Then shall they return to hold dominion over our world once more, bringing woe and destruction unto mankind."

2. The Nameless City - This piece to me is beautiful. It depicts for me a wondrous journey to an unknown place, both dark and splendid. The piece is begun with a melding of what sounds like flutes combined with keyboard work whose tone is strongly choral in nature. It conveys a feeling of dread and awe together. Soon, percussion and strings join in with beautiful choir to complete the piece. The pacing is not quite a march-like one, but slightly quicker... depicting travel. In my mind I visualize traversing a desert amidst a raging sandstorm, and then crossing a turbulent waterway to behold an ancient city alive with dark and brooding majesty.

3. Alhazred's Vision - This piece has a very adventurous feeling to it. It seems to be a companion piece to track two but that's a good thing. Brooding strings and purcussion are joined by the tambourine to give it a more exotic flavor. Majestic choir returns to the piece in a way that gives it a very nice completion and fleshing out.

4. Necronomicon- Here, it seems, we are given a thematic piece. Haunting keyboards and sinister choral work pay us a visit to reprise and expand on the tune from the first track, making it the "star" of this piece rather than an undercurrent to narration. This is a good thing. It depicts in music the Necronomicon itself and is a more than fitting theme for a tome whose ancient pages are replete with dark wonders and ghastly secrets.

5. Ancient Shadows - Percussion, keyboards and strings do another dance for us. Choral accents here are very strong and powerful. As I close my eyes here, I can conceive in my mind an image of a barren land with a flame-red sky, slowly being swallowed by gathering stormclouds. It's a very strong piece and a great mood-setter for the terror to come.

6. Azathoth - This piece is a description of one of what Lovecraft's mythos refers to as the Great Old Ones. We are treated to a macabre choral melody over which Joseph Vargo's own voice gently drifts telling us of this creature : "From his black throne at the center of ultimate chaos, Azathoth, lord of madness and the abyss, rules supreme over all time and space... for he is the master of all that dwells in the darkness."

7. The Black Throne - Darker and darker it seems do we get. Ominous chorals and percussion mate with keyboards and tolling bells. To me, this piece blends terror and majesty in a manner that I might only call completely flawless.

8. Nyarlahotep- Here is another descriptive piece. Once again beautiful keyboard work with choral accents joins Joseph Vargo's hypnotic narration as we hear him say: "To Nyarlahotep must all things be told, for he is the traveller between the spheres, and the messenger between the realms of the living and the dead. He shall summon forth the ancient ones, and wake them from their deathless slumber. Then shall the Elder Signs be shattered, and the lords of darkness be released."

9. Temple Of The Black Pharoah - If I had to use one word to describe this piece, that word would be exotic. It is a beautiful piece, comprised of soft keyboard wizardry and chorals, mated with Egyptian style percussion and mysterious chanting. Part of it for a while sounds like pan pipes were used, at the beginning perhaps. Again I visualize crossing a river in a rustic canoe and coming to an ancient temple, a site to inspire both terror and awe being rooted deep within the heart of any who see it.

10. Eldritch Rites - Here, we are given a dose of the ominous and the sinister. This is a "simple" piece but I say that in a good way. It is a genuinely frightening vignette, given to us in a simple manner...proving that sometimes less is indeed more. A chilling sound, a resonant gong... is joined by brooding male chorals. They are overlaid by the voice of Joseph Vargo performing what appears to be an incantion of sorts... one that seems to summon the Great Old Ones by name, to bring them back from their deathless sleep.

11. The Haunter Of The Dark - This piece to me is scary but beautiful. A tolling bell is coupled with ominous choral melody and darkly majestic keyboard work and strings. Pipe organ compliments and fits into the piece wonderfully. The impression is one of being watched and stalked by a relentless and unstoppable force. The thunderclap at the end is an awesome touch and welcome indeed. Beautiful work.

12. The Awakening - "That is not dead which can eternal lie... and with strange eons even death may die." With this famous line from Lovecraft does the hypnotic narrating voice of Joseph Vargo introduce us to this piece. Heartbeat-like percussion soon drifts in, coupled with the steady, swirling sound of strings. Compelling choir soon makes its prescence known to us. I would name this one "invigorating". It's pace is march-like, and it carries a quite epic feel.

13. Yog Sothoth- Another homage to one of the Great Old Ones. Stately percussion and a soft but deep and resonant gong are the backdrop. Joseph Vargo's narrative voice joins us once more, as if telling a chilling tale of imminent catastrophe that merely awaits the right moment to fall upon us. "From across the black seas of infinity and beyond the mists of time, Yog Sothoth watches and waits. For he is the guadian of the gateway between worlds, and he alone holds the key to unlock the gate. For when the ancient rites have been spoken, and the lords of darkness have been awakened and summoned forth, then shall the gateway between the stars open once more. Past, present, future... All are one in Yog Sothoth."

14. Guardian Of The Gate - Here, keyboards and strings begin a new waltz for us. The strings swirl about us, as if driving us closer to the heart of a violent tempest. Darkly regal choir joins in. The tempo of these choral parts in particular, provide "spikes" of tension, as if the bolts on a great portal are being ever so slowly but surely and inevitably drawn back... it is only a matter of time before our worst nightmares come to pass.

15. Lords Of Darkness- This one is comprised of steadily paced strings, percussion and tolling bells. Choral majesty gifts us with its prescence also. This brings to mind a macabre twist on a kingly procession. It further lets us know that, all too soon... our nightmares will be real.

16. Dagon - Yet another description is given to us here... a piece of heraldry. Subtle keyboard wizardry combines with a choral moan of sorts. Joseph Vargo's voice chimes in once more: "Behold mighty Dagon... the great leviathan, risen from the black depths of the eternal sea. For he is the avatar of Cthulhu, who lies dreaming in deathless slumber... in his ancient temple in Ryleh."

17. The Stars Allign - Once again do ominous percussion and strings return to us here. Keyboards come in as well, feeling almost like horns heralding a great catastrophe. Snare drums make an effective appearance as well. This is yet another sign that our time is running out, even faster than it appeared to be doing so beforehand.

18. Cthulhu- Yet another gripping piece of descriptive homage. Choral work reminiscent of monastic chanting is joined by Joseph Vargo narrating for us very effectively. "Hail mighty Cthulhu, High Priest of the Great Old Ones. For when the stars come right, he shall rise from his ancient tomb to signal their return. Then shall the ancient ones long ago banished to the outer spheres break free from their prisons and plunge from the stars to claim the Earth once more. For those who lurk at the threshold of our world are ever vigilant for the