El Greco

Track Listings

1. Greco, Pt. I

2. Greco, Pt. II

3. Greco, Pt. III

4. Greco, Pt. IV

5. Greco, Pt. V

6. Greco, Pt. VI

7. Greco, Pt. VII

8. Greco, Pt. VIII

9. Greco, Pt. IX

10. Greco, Pt. X

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Somber, stately, and reverent, the nine untitled movements (and concluding seven-minute epilogue) presented by keyboardist-composer Vangelis convey the mood of a requiem. These 10 lengthy works form a tribute to the respected native of Crete (1541-1614) whose religiously minded paintings (many created in near isolation in the Spanish city of Toledo) are notable, among other reasons, for their singular cross-pollination of Byzantine, Venetian, and Spanish influences. (The artist's nickname, El Greco, is in fact a linguistic merger of Spanish and Greek.) Musically, the recording dwells in a near-classical atmosphere that only occasionally offers any hints of rhythmic progression or ethereal expansiveness. Instead, the music conveys a more formal, classically rooted seriousness that at times features the operatic embellishments of soprano Montserrat Caballe and tenor Kostantinos Paliatsaras. Perhaps the recording's loveliest moments reside in the fifth movement, where Vangelis adorns the sustained earnestness of his work with some gently evocative piano runs. This, however, is an exception to an otherwise weighty musical endeavor. --Terry Wood

El Greco,Vangelis,Atlantic / Wea,Classical Music,Club/Dance,House,New Age / Meditation,Pop

El Greco

Tracks:

Movement I
Movement II
Movement III
Movement IV
Movement V
Movement VI
Movement VII
Movement VIII
Movement IX
Movement X (Epilogue)

Amazon.com

Somber, stately, and reverent, the nine untitled movements (and concluding seven-minute epilogue) presented by keyboardist-composer Vangelis convey the mood of a requiem. These 10 lengthy works form a tribute to the respected native of Crete (1541-1614) whose religiously minded paintings (many created in near isolation in the Spanish city of Toledo) are notable, among other reasons, for their singular cross-pollination of Byzantine, Venetian, and Spanish influences. (The artist's nickname, El Greco, is in fact a linguistic merger of Spanish and Greek.) Musically, the recording dwells in a near-classical atmosphere that only occasionally offers any hints of rhythmic progression or ethereal expansiveness. Instead, the music conveys a more formal, classically rooted seriousness that at times features the operatic embellishments of soprano Montserrat Caballe and tenor Kostantinos Paliatsaras. Perhaps the recording's loveliest moments reside in the fifth movement, where Vangelis adorns the sustained earnestness of his work with some gently evocative piano runs. This, however, is an exception to an otherwise weighty musical endeavor. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Stunning and Somber: Listen While Viewing El Greco's Art.......2007-03-04

Certainly one of Vangelis' moodiest works since `Mask', 'El Greco' nevertheless has a few light moments in movements III and V. HOWEVER, instead of just listening to 'El Greco' and judging it strictly on what it conveys musically, I would encourage listeners to view the works of El Greco while listening to Vangelis' tribute to this 16th-century artist.

I was initially not overly impressed with Vangelis' 'El Greco.' However, on a recent trip to Spain, my traveling partner and I were fortunate to be among the first few tourists to enter the little Church of Santo Tomé in Toledo, the location of El Greco's masterful mural, the 'Burial of the Count of Orgaz'. I had put Vangelis' 'El Greco' on my iPod, and for 30 minutes on that wonderful morning we stood there, nearly alone with the painting, and listened to movement III over and over again as we stared in awe at the ethereal beauty of El Greco's subjects (I was particularly struck by his depiction of St Augustine). It was a sublime experience; how often does great art get its own soundtrack?

Listening to Vangelis' 'El Greco' in the presence of one of the painter's finest pieces, I was completely overwhelmed at how Vangelis was able to convey the spirit of the artist's work in music. (I was, I think, in the presence of two masters.) 'El Greco' has since become one of my favorite of Vangelis' compositions.

Fails to convey the same emotions..........2007-02-06

I am a die-hard Vangelis fan. But I can also acknowledge where his emotions are not as powerful, and "El Greco" is one of those cases. The album, while interesting, fails to engage the listener in the same way other classics by the Greek legend do, such as Bladerunner, Antarctica or Opera Sauvage. I recommend those before checking this one out.

Magical... 6 stars?.......2006-01-22

This is absolutely one of Vangelis' best works, a cross between classical and new age. Soothening, mysterious and passionate. A must for collectors!!!

Deep Dark but Ingenious...Eternal Music.......2004-12-06

Maybe the best and most introspective of Vangelis..
You must listen to "El Greco" twice or thrice in order to understand the deeper atmosphere it emerges from this masterpiece.. Not for easy listening. It requires proper mood and proper environment in order to enjoy it..

I agree it is dark sometimes but each track is a pure pleasure for all audiophiles out there.. Technically, melodically, inspirationally, harmonically, emotionally, spiritually, is perfect...Few pieces of music, can create in the mind what I call "presentiment of eternity", a fusion of your mind with great dramatic things that you have never lived but you feel so intense as you were there !!!

And if you are Greek and have certain ethnic backgrounds, you will appreciate this CD more. Because there is inside, what we call Byzantine Greek feeling.. Especially one melody reminds me of the famous byzantine hymn "Tin Ipermaho ta nikitiria" that starts with 3 "C" notes...!!

Epitomizes "Thinking Man's Music" .......2004-10-15

I have been a Vangelis fan for over 20 years and have all of his
recordings(except the compilations). I listen mostly to classical
and jazz but Vangelis by and far is the artist who's work I
listen to the most. His ability to fuse electronic and classical
music is nothing short of sublime. He is a living legend and
perhaps after his passing will the world begin to REALLY
appreciate the man's work.

"El Greco" is nothing short of a masterpiece. I too have been to
Toledo and have seen the environment in which El Greco worked and
must say that Vangelis has created a highly evocative aural
characterization of the artist and his art.

The dark elements are actually a positiver thing and something
that I've used in contrasting ways. For example, I don't put this
recording on when I am feeling down, per se; or in the evening,
or in a dark room with headphones. Doing those things would
accentuate the darkness to an unbearable state. Instead, I play
this recording on bright, sunny days. Specially when it's
snowing, or after it's snowed. BUT, I try to play it only when I
am by myself. This is not one that you want to have folks
engaging in conversation with you while you are listening to it.

I would absolutely NOT qualify this one as "space music" or
symphonic electronica, as we would Albedo or Spiral. This is more
along the lines of Opera Sauvage, but MUCH darker. The tonal
elements are similar to Opera, but the reverberation is deeper
and much wider, giving this recording a cavernous quality that no
other Vangelis recording has demonstrated.

As for those who don't care for the dark personality of this
recording I would say that you are missing the gist of what the
artist tried to do; and perhaps do not even understand what
Vangelis is all about. Vangelis is about NOT following tried and
true musical forms. If any one thing, perhaps his reneging to
follow classical forms is what's made him a significant artist.

Someone mentioned in an earlier review that he/she is still
waiting of Vangelis to surprise him/her. Well, the fact that you
don't like this album(after the initial listen) is testimony
enough that he has indeed surprised you!!!

I must concede that I am not often in the mood for this
recording, since it requires the proper environment and
circumstances that are not always available to me. But I am
more than grateful that there is music like "El Greco".
Music that targets a specific mood(s) and stimulates thinking
that otherwise would not happen while listening to more
"conventional" music forms.

Average customer rating:

Homenaje a la Guardia Vieja
Vicente Greco
Manufacturer: El Bandoneon Sp
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Angry, mysterious, dark and sensuous, Juliette Grego falls into the same temperamental musical classifications as Nico, David Bowie, Scott Walker and fellow countryman Jacques Brel. Her influence on post-war France was simply enormous and she remains a popular, respected and enigmatic figure. This collection concentrates on the deeply impressive '50s recordings made in the first five years of her career that established her unique reputation. 25 tracks. El. 2007.

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El Greco
Ennio Morricone
Manufacturer: Gdm Italy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000RPDZBE
Release Date: 2007-07-02

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Exultate Deo
Invocazione
Festa
Angoscia E Ricerca
Nascondersi
Festa (# 2)
Rituale
Angoscia E Ricerca (# 2)
Un Suono Lontano
Angoscia E Ricerca Ii
Festa (# 3)
Invocazione Seconda
Alleluia Alleluia
Per Archi
Asperges Me
Nascondersi (# 2)
Angoscia E Ricerca (# 3)
Greco (Quartetto)
Canti (1a Parte)
Canti (2a Parte)
Unus Et Trinus (Conclusione)
Un Suono Lontano (# 2)
Angoscia E Ricerca (# 4)
Follia E Amore
Discesa

Album Description

2007 Deluxe Edition pressing of Morricone's score for the 1964 film directed by Luciano Salce and starring Mel Ferrer, Rosanna Schiaffino, Adolfo Celi and Fernando Rey. Symphonic score by a young Morricone, but is still rich with all the musical elements typical of the author's later works. This complete CD is digitally remastered and restored using the original stereo master tapes. Booklet with eight pages in colour enriched with archives stills.

Album Details

Deluxe Issue of this 1964 Film Directed by Luciano Salce, and Starring Mel Ferrer, Rosanna Schiaffino, Adolfo Celi, and Fernando Rey. Digitally Remastered Using the Original Stereo Tapes and Eight Page Booklet.

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El Greco

Manufacturer: ARTCO
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ASIN: B0007KX2LM
Release Date: 1993-06-01

Tracks:

Adoration of the Holy Name (Daryl Henriksen, Ensemble)
The Annunciation {Henriksen, Cantor, Bogdan)
He Sees With Other Eyes (Reed, Cantor, Henriksen)
A New World (Cantor, Henriksen)
Teresa, Saint in Disguise (Selena Cantor)
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The Incantation (Henriksen, Christina Sperry)
The Pentecost (Ensemble and Soloists)
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In Paradisum (Ensemble and Soloists)

Album Description

ACT I 1577-1578 The Annunciation

El Greco, an old man, is confronted by the Universal Child Soul. El Greco calls forth his life, transforming the people and events through his paintings. He is a young man arriving in Toledo with Preboste, his assistant and Eleni, his Greek housekeeper. He falls in love with Jeronima de las Cuevas, a Jewish noblewoman who avoids the flames of the Inquisition by claiming to be a convert. Conflicts in religious beliefs make it impossible for them to marry. They have a son, Jorge Manuel.

ACT II 1579-1606 The Espolio

El Greco paints for the Church, developing an antagonistic relationship with Cardinal Don Fernando Niño de Guevera, the Grand Inquisitor. Because Jorge Manuel is being raised Jewish by his mother, El Greco refuses to acknowledge that he is his son. Jeronima dreams of the New World and seeks the council of Teresa of Avila. Teresa and Antonio Covarrubias (El Greco's closest friend) help crystallize El Greco's artistic ambition: to create a bridge between Heaven and Earth. Jorge Manuel is tried before the Inquisition for alleged crimes (a painting of a classical subject [Laoccoon] - then all the rage in Rome, rather than of Christian subject ) against the Church. El Greco does not intervene. Jeronima threatens to reveal Archbishop Quiroga's Jewish lineage and saves Jorge Manuel from the flames of the auto-da-fe.

ACT III 1607-1614 The Trinity

Jeronima leaves El Greco to seek refuge in Teresa's convent. Jorge Manuel, a broken man and an alcoholic will not forget El Greco's betrayal. A senile Antonio sits for El Greco as St. Peter and experiences a near death hallucination. With guidance from Teresa, El Greco finally understands that, were it not for his family and friends, his art would not have soared. As Jeronima and Jorge Manuel attend to El Greco on his death bed, El Greco acknowledges that Jorge Manuel is his son. The Universal Child Soul grants El Greco eternal light and rest.

Top Secret
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Top Secret

Manufacturer: OK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0002JW7UU

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Not what I expected

The Tchaikovsky of the Keyboards.

"Remarkably Soul-filling"

El Greco
Vangelis
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000G42O
Release Date: 1998-10-26

Tracks:

Greco/1st Movement
Greco/2nd Movement
Greco/3rd Movement
Greco/4th Movement
Greco/5th Movement
Greco/6th Movement
Greco/7th Movement
Greco/8th Movement
Greco/9th Movement
Greco/10th Movement - Epilogue

Album Details

Composed, Produced and Performed by Vangelis with Monserrat Caballe-soprano and Konstantinos Paliataras-tenor.

Customer Reviews:

Not what I expected.......2000-11-03

Wow, this is far not from what I like in Vangelis. The same goes for voices and oceanic. Apparently I cannot keep my concentration on music that has no clear melody or a rythmbox.

The Tchaikovsky of the Keyboards........1999-12-28

It is not surprising that Vangelis is the modern day Tchaikovsky of the keyboards. I have admired and marveled at his work over the last the three decades. El Greco is one of his best. His ability to infuse opera, classical, melodic drifts in his work and give it feeling and direction is magnificent. Vangelis has blended these styles beautifully together where Kitaro, Rick Wakeman, Klaus Schulze,Yanni, and others have tried and not always succeed. In my humble opinion, El Greco is one of his best works. If you have a liking for Opera Sauvage,Ignacio, Mask, Heaven & Hell, L'Appoclapse Des Animaux, then add this excellent edition to the library.

"Remarkably Soul-filling".......1998-12-30

This release has to be one of Vangelis' greatest works. Having listened to portions of every Vangelis album and owning most of them, I can say that this is an indispensable part of any true fan's own collection. Vangelis' work on this rather lengthy album soldifies his position not as a composer of new age/classical/easy listening genre music, but that his unbelievably moving music is in a class with no equals. Just beautiful.

Wanted: The New Cuban Jazz Top Secret, Vol. 1

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El Greco y Su Quinteto
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Release Date: 2006-03-01

Tracks:

Grecos' Shopping
Virginia
Ana Luisa
Gregory Is Here
Mar
Consuelate Como Yo
Ese Hastio
Blue Bossa
Balada Lita

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22 love themes from Ennio Morricone

Love Themes

Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l
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ASIN: B0000072CC
Release Date: 1999-01-26

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Encounter
Deep in My Eyes
Hopes of Freedom
To Die and Live
And Woman Created Man
Metello [Version 3]
Anguish and Pursuit
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Downn the Ancient Staircase
Miriam and Philip
One for Three
Triumph of Love
Giordano Bruno's Theme
What Have You Down to Solange?
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Lovers Beyond the Tomb [Version III]
You'll See Me Return [Instrumental Version]
In Church
Most Important Things
Now It's Love
Jill's America

Album Details

Collection of Love Themes Taken from Various Movie Scores.

Customer Reviews:

22 love themes from Ennio Morricone.......1999-10-25

In this compilation you will get 22 love themes from one of the most acclaimed composer of film music, Ennio Morricone. Here the composer offers a testimony to his exceptionnal versatility with a series of love themes taken from films of every type : action films, comedy, thrilers, adventure films, film of social commentary etc. These themes are original soundtracks and show very well that Ennio Morricone is not only a western movie composer. This is one of my favorite CD and I highly recommend it.