Voices of Africa [Box set] [Import]

1. Chants & Dances Of Fertility

2. Chants Of Thanks Foa Good Harvest

3. Dogon Funeral Dance

4. Chants & Dances To Heal The Spirit

5. Chants & Dances For Successful Hunting

6. Healing Dance With Spiritual Chant

7. Zambezi War Canoes With Chants

8. River Traders Of The Lipopo River

9. Lozi Ritual Of Manhood

10. Night Fishermen Of The Orange River

11. Bantu Ritual To Ward Off Evil Spirits

12. Warriors'canoes Of The Upper Niger River

13. Ehan Marriage Ritual & Dance

14. Shona Karanga Burial Ritual

15. Ukwu Rain Dance Ritual

16. Talking Drums Of The Okavango Delta

17. Kwai Zulu War Chant & Dance

18. Talking Drums Of The Upper Niger River

19. Serengeti Chant & Dance Of Fertility

20. Sufi Prayer Of Life

See all 25 tracks on this disc

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:

Kothbiro - Ayub Ogada
Dala - Ayub Ogada
Ondiek - Ayub Ogada
Sutu Kun - Vieux Diop
Jali - Vieux Diop
Ekibobo - Samite
Ndere - Samite
Wasuze Otya? - Samite
Ngak - Lucky Diop
Igne - Lucky Diop
Mamadi - Lucky Diop
Woza Azania - Kevin Nathaniel
Tatenda - Kevin Nathaniel

Customer Reviews:

The Voice Transcendant.......2005-09-26

Only a listen to this incredible and sublime collection with convince noise-weary ears and world-heavy souls of the healing power of the human voice.

I would love to hear a collection of this type which featured the voices of African women like Angelique Kidjo and Miriam Makeba.

Get it. You'll revisit it over and over.

Profound sound........2004-02-28

Ive had this album for four years, I still listen to it on A weekly basis and never tire of it.It's very soul stirring,the first of the songs kothbiro is the most haunting of all of them.Dala and ondiek are my next favourites.
It's a wonderful album to have when life gets very chaotic and busy,it stops you right in your tracks.Highly reccommended as an introduction to the very wide scope of african music.

Uplifting.......2004-01-25

I heard this CD when visiting Bogota. I walked into a gallery of the local artists and the music captured my soul. I was so moved by the melodies, I had to find out the title of the CD. The music is transcendent. My favorites are Kothbiro, Ondiek and Sutu Kun, and the invigorating, rythmic Ekbobo. But the best has to be the Wasuze Otya track with the laughter of the singers at the end of the track; you can sense their joy in their songs. The music is so uplifting and premeates with a positive feeling -- you can tell that the singers feel joy in living, and in life through the range of wonderful music; you want to go to their land, and be in their space. Wonderful!!! A must have!!!

Great CD.......2003-12-23

This is one of the best CDs around. It is well worth it.

Soothing, Melodious, Soulful voices from Africa.......2001-12-06

Very relaxing, very appealing voices. A great blend of lyrics, vocals and instruments come together to deliver a superb music CD with each song leaving you completely invigorated and revitalized

Average customer rating:

Wonderful, memorable singing.
Nice and relaxing
A display of God's gifts
SOUTH AFRICAN HARMONY AT ITS FINEST
Tribal, Caribbean, old-school gospel, and much in between

Voices from Heaven
The Soweto Gospel Choir
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

South Africa | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
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Blessed
African Spirit
Soweto Gospel Choir - Blessed Live in Concert
Exotic Voices from Africa: 30 of the Best African Vocal Groups
The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo

ASIN: B0006TRO6I
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

Jikela Emaweni
Vuma
Thina Simnqobile
Zanele
Paradise Road
Ahuna Ya Tswanag Le Jesu / Kammatla
Many Rivers to Cross / Going Down Jordan / Amen (Medley)
Amazing Grace
Thula Baba
Sikulandile
Malaika
Hlanganani
Bayete
Jerusalem
Holy City / Bayete (Medley)
African Dream

Amazon.com

South African choral music is renowned for passionate singing and soul-stirring harmonies. The Soweto Gospel Choir is made up of top talent from throughout that hard-scrabble yet celebrated Township. All sixteen tracks were seemingly recorded studio-live with no overdubbing or after-the-fact prettying-up. Paradise Road is led by a powerful pair of female voices who sing in English about walking hand-in-hand toward a place where there will be no more pain. It is almost unbearably poignant. A ceremonial yet ecstatic version of "Amazing Grace" renews the power and grandeur of a seriously hackneyed hymn. The selections are either sung a cappella or accompanied by a guitar-led mbaqanga combo, plus drums, hand-clapping, stamping, exhortations, whistling ,and high-pitched ululations. There is even a taste of sacred R&B and hip-hop! The lord being praised here is obviously a robust but loving realist; the voices are redolent of humanity in all its fragile, undying splendor. --Christina Roden

Album Description

Soweto Gospel Choir's Shanachie debut, Voices From Heaven, is a stunning recording that delivers the full range of the choir's talent. The sheer aural beauty of the voices, both in powerful solo segments and lush choral harmonies, makes a memorable impact. But there also is an unquantifiable quotient of spirit—the heartfelt, sincere joyousness that cannot be taught or simulated—that infuses the Choir's performances. It is this quality that enables them to make even very familiar material such as "Amazing Grace" or Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers To Cross" sound fresh. The Choir moves easily from the traditional a capella Mbube, popularized internationally by Ladysmith Black Mambazo to straightforward church hymns to rollicking "township jive"-inflected numbers with band backing. The most universal, direct and powerful instrument is the human voice and on Voices From Heaven Soweto Gospel Choir revels in this "first instrument" as the essence of human musical expression.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, memorable singing........2007-07-06

This album really displays the energy and distinction of this group. Great singing, great arrangements, hugely energetic and dynamic. Highly recommended for anyone with an eclectic taste in music.

Nice and relaxing.......2007-03-13

I found that this CD was very, very enjoyable to listen to, the music when in English was accessible, when it was not, just purely relaxing and in no short order, helped me feel the spirit. There are no chants and songs with lyrics that are repeated over and over and over again here. Just simple music that would serve to uplift the mind and the spirit.

A display of God's gifts.......2007-02-12

I not only bought the CD i was blessed to watch them live on their current tour of the United States. When the concert was over it was obvious that everyone wanted more and i could hear a little voice behind me saying "encore". What a refreshing sound from such a small group and they sing with such passion and joy! I recommend this album to everyone who wants to hear real voices sing. An amazing display of God's gift to man.

SOUTH AFRICAN HARMONY AT ITS FINEST.......2006-11-03

Purchased Voices From Heaven,after seeing a live
performance of "Blessed." While the audio only album
cannot fully describe the songs on this album,the way
a live video can,it was still very enjoyabloe.The harmony
was at times "soul wrenching." The presentation,
captivating!

My favorite songs were: "Ahuna Ya Twanag Le Jesu" (Nobody
Like Jesus,)The classic South African Lullabye "Thula Baba"
and the Johnny Clegg standard "My African Dream." This was
an outstanding performance.I wish I had seen it live.

Tribal, Caribbean, old-school gospel, and much in between.......2006-03-23

High quality and excitement throughout. Most are easy to recognize as gospel music, even when the specific form is unfamiliar. Songs vary in approach and language. Some are distinctly tribal in origin; others sound Caribbean, some are clearly American, old-school soul in origin. And much in between. But they tend to certain attributes. The core of each song is a steady, communal, simple chant. Songs feel like they are blocked out, and the chorus works through each song in blocks. Some have complex harmonies or even layers of separate parts of the chorus. Others seek the sacred in simplicity. One or two solo voices sing above the chorus in a much more individual, excited, complex, fervent spirit. Solos are mainly female; a few male voices. Individual leads effectively voice their wild devotion over the rock-solid steadiness of the community. Drums typically appear, usually in sparse, syncopated role, and always supporting the voices. Simple but stinging electric guitar accompanies a few pieces. Stand-outs: tr 3-Thina Simnqobile (Close, steady communal chant. Deep female voice above. Quick, light, syncopated drums. Precise clapping in complex rhythms. Ululating.) [56:33]

Exotic Voices from Africa: 30 of the Best African Vocal Groups

Average customer rating:

Great but Limited
Everybody please come the real world of Africa

Exotic Voices from Africa: 30 of the Best African Vocal Groups
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Arc Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

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Voices from Heaven
Blessed
The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
African Tribal Music & Dances
The Best of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00004UDDA
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

Isigcino - Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Mmele Pelo Le Moya - Baswa Ba Tumelo
Ujesu Uyinkosi - Zyac Choir
Orata Boetapele - Masogane A Tumelo
Sengiyezwa - Majalefa A Morena
Masasani - Simon Ngobeni Na Vatsonga Sisters
Uyadela - Ngxalothi No Masevela
Ngangiboshiwe - Church Of Christ
Ujesu Yedwa Nje - Amanxusa Ka Jesu
Igobondela - Zamo No Senta
Isithembiso - Isabelo
Mehleng - Laduma
Igazi - Ntu Bhekani Brothers
E Getsemane - Masibuyele Kujehova Choir
Kwapminda Kwenzeka - The Kins Star Brothers

Tracks:

Ubani Ongasbenze Usathane - Abafana Beseluleko
Ubothandaza - Isithembiso
Kushothina - Ubuhle Bezi Ntombi
Mmapule - Pietersburg Top Ten
Ningakhali - Amahlokoloko
Abafana Bedilik - Dilika
Dwala Lami - Genesisi Endlu Nkulu
Ungizondelani - Mzikayifani Buthelezi
Jelasi - Pat Mabasa Na Shikange Sisters
Izwi Legazi - Ivangeli Loxolo
Giyamthakatmi - Izingame Zoma
Intombi - Amaduduzo/Ronnie Bodibe
Vus'umoya Wami - Derrick Ndzimande
Baleka Tshwala - Johnny Dimba
Abazali Bami - Amaqhawe Asesandlwane

Customer Reviews:

Great but Limited.......2007-07-30

This is a wonderful compilation of mostly Zulu gospel groups from South Africa, with a handful of secular selections and a few non-Zulu. But it's all from South Africa, not "Africa" as the title suggests. If you like Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the Soweto Gospel Choir, you'll like this CD. If you're looking for a taste of the rest of Aftica, this is not it!

Everybody please come the real world of Africa.......2000-09-18

For all the many albums available by these household names from Africa, what you get here, unlike the more polished studio albums, is the real african exotic voices. This one should repeat their success in african music. This album brings to your home the dangers, exhaustions, and exhilarations better than any journalism. I have first heard their voice in the greatest Paul Simon-penned "Homeless." since then, they are my greatest group in african music.

Average customer rating:

A Communication between Alien Worlds
Absolutely amazing
Inspiring
sophisticated
keep it open

Lambarena-Bach to Africa

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart in Egypt
Mozart in Egypt 2
Songs of Innocence
Djelika
African Voices

ASIN: B000002A94
Release Date: 1995-10-24

Tracks:

Jesus bleibet meine Freude
Sankanda
Mayingo
Herr, unser Herrscher
Mabo Maboe
Bombe
Pepa Nzac Gnon Ma
Mamoudo Na Sakka Baya Boudouma Ngombi
Agnus Dei
Ikoukou
Inongo
Okoukoue
Lhr Lieblishste Blicke, ihr freudige Stunden
Jesus bleibet meine Freude

Customer Reviews:

A Communication between Alien Worlds.......2006-12-01

Electrifying...first let me say that this is among the 10 top CD's in my
entire music collection. Let me explain what this music is NOT. It is not a group of African singers and musicians performing Bach. No, instead it is the response of African musicians listening to the music of Bach and talking back in their own tonal language. First we hear melodies of Bach - tame and civilized - played on the traditional instruments, perhaps organ or piano or violin. On hearing Bach, the Africans join in and respond with their own raw, primeval, earth-centered music. Think of a bird which changes its song and rhythm in response to a classical flute melody and you get the idea. A treat not to be missed.

Absolutely amazing.......2006-04-06

I have truly enjoyed this CD. As a Gabonese woman myself hearing the mix of traditional gabonese sounds, tribal language, and sounds and the heavenly music of Bach is truly...heaven. I do understand that such a mix could be an atrocity for some classical music fans but just forget Bach alone and try to picture his music beinf celebrated by some people who before had maybe never heard of him... jst enjoy the coming ogether of two cultures... Pierre Akendengue is brilliant, simply brilliant!

Inspiring.......2005-08-28

As a classically trained celleist and person who simply loves classical music- This album has been a tremendous insparation, opening my eyes to the true possibilities of music. The mix of the traditional music of Africa and Bach shows how cultures, from complete and totoal opposit ends of the world can come together and culturally unite. I would highly recommend this album to anyone who wants to see the true potential of Bach.

sophisticated.......2005-08-06

The work in this record is amazing and incredibly sophisticated.
The blend is almost unthinkable, but after you listen to this CD you feel the musical magic that was created at that early days of the 29th century, where two opposite worlds meet to surprise our senses with new sounds.
A real banquet for a music lover!

keep it open.......2005-03-28

We are all one world. Combining the sounds and rhythms of different cultures and eras can be a beautiful thing. This album does it well. With an open mind, you'll find yourself swept away, only to be brought back by the natural motion of your tapping foot or your swaying body.

Average customer rating:

Looking There
Kaïssa
Manufacturer: Makai Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA2O3Y
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

Essimo
Senga
Eyoum
O Si Keka
Joy
Sangwam
Big Brother
Mumi
Ombwa Te
To Ndje
Alea So

Holding Up Half the Sky: Voices of African Women

Average customer rating:

Gorgeous!

Holding Up Half the Sky: Voices of African Women
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Shanachie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

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Putumayo Presents: Women of Africa

ASIN: B000000E3U
Release Date: 1997-03-18

Tracks:

Amabhongo - The Mahotella Queens
Batonga - Angelique Kidjo
Souma Sagnone - Kine Lam
Kanawa - Aicha Kone
Ndindereri - Stella Chiswese
Faux Pas - M'BILIA BEL
Gomba - Ami Koita
Ya Habibi - Malouma Mint Miadeh
Ngewundini - Miriam Makeba
Orere Elegjigbo - The Lijadu Sisters
Sibure Nambo - Malika
Tshibola - Tshala Muana
Yelew Wekesa - Netsanet Mellesse
Hapo Zamani - Dorothy Masuka

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous!.......2002-06-07

This is a wonderful CD. I listen to it frequently at work. The artists are all African women from various parts of the continent and the range in their style and music reflects the vast differences between the regions. This album is very well put together. If you want an introduction to African musicians or just want to listen to beautiful and inspiring music, this CD is a great place to start.

Average customer rating:

The Piano G & Ts, Volume 3

Manufacturer: APR
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005OBRL
Release Date: 2001-01-01

Tracks:

Air De Ballet, Op.30 - Cecile Chaminade
Pas Des Echarpes (Callirhoe Op.37) - Cecile Chaminade
Courante (Danse Ancienne, Op.95/3) - Cecile Chaminade
Les Sylvains, Op.60 - Cecile Chaminade
Danse Creole (2nd Havanaise) Op.94 - Cecile Chaminade
L'Enjoleuse, Op.50 - Cecile Chaminade
Pierrette (Air De Ballet) Op.41 - Cecile Chaminade
Improvised Cadenza On Afrique, Op.89 - Camille Saint-Saens
Valse Mignonne, Op.104 - Camille Saint-Saens
Valse Nonchalante, Op.110 - Camille Saint-Saens
Pno Con No.2 in g, Op.22 (Extracts) - Camille Saint-Saens
Ascanio - Air Of Scozzone (Act 2) - Camille Saint-Saens
Reverie - Camille Saint-Saens
Samson Et Dalila - Printemps Qui Commence - Camille Saint-Saens
La Solitaire (Melodie Persane Op.26/3) - Camille Saint-Saens/Meyrianne Heglon
Rhap D'Auvergne, Op.73 - Camille Saint-Saens
Le Deluge - Prld Op.45 - Camille Saint-Saens
Elegie, Op.143 - Camille Saint-Saens/Gabriel Willaume
Reverie Du Soir A Blidah (Ste Algerienne, Op.60/3) - Camille Saint-Saens
Marche Militaire Francaise (Ste Algerienne, Op.60/4) - Camille Saint-Saens
Premiere Mazurka, Op.21 - Camille Saint-Saens
Valse Mignonne, Op.104 - Camille Saint-Saens
Havanaise, Op.83 - Camille Saint-Saens/Gabriel Willaume

Average customer rating:

Voices of Africa, Vol. 14: West Africa
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Peters Music Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000IXVZ
Release Date: 1999-06-22

Tracks:

Kaya Monama
Ha-Madi
Concert de Percussion
Doumdoum-Ba
Badjourou
Kenkeba
N' Kanoute
Warale
Modiba
Diya
Tunga
Lombalya
Guina Na Na Tone
Flute for Senegal

Palm World Voices: Africa [CD, DVD, Book & Map]

Average customer rating:

A Mixed Bag

Palm World Voices: Africa [CD, DVD, Book & Map]
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Palm Pictures (Audio
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Africa | Compilations | International | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Palm World Voices: Vedic Path [CD, DVD, Book & Map]
Palm World Voices: Baaba Maal [CD, DVD, Book & Map]
Palm World Voices: Spirit [Region 2]
Palm World Voices - Mandela [Region 2]
Eragon (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0009ZE9Q2
Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

Ata N'Dele - Ray Lema
Ja Funmi - King Sunny Ade
M'Beddemi
Paquita
Nafanta
African Woman
Maya - Baaba Maal
Yala - Pepe Kalle
Africa - Oumou Sangare
Carnaval de SVicente - Cria ora
Vulindlela [Original Version] - Brenda Fassie
N'Dego - Pierre Akendengu

Tracks:

Yala [DVD] - Oumou Sangare
M'Beddemi [DVD]
Ja Fumni [DVD]
N'Dego [DVD]
Paquita [DVD]
Ata N'Del [DVD] - Ray Lema
Maya [DVD] - Pepe Kalle
Vulindlela [DVD]
African Woman [DVD] - Brenda Fassie
Nafanta [DVD] - Baaba Maal

Album Description

This deluxe package includes the following elements:

- An audio CD featuring Juju star King Sunny Ade, Senegal's Baaba Maal, Afro-pop artist Salif Keita, and more.

- A 60 minute DVD that provides a fantastic visual journey through Africa accompanied by a Dolby 5.1 surround music track

- A beautiful 48-page book with stunning photos of Africa and an essay penned by acclaimed British journalist Robin Denselow

- An exclusively designed poster map created by the National Geographic Society that provides more detail about the people, music and geography of Africa

Customer Reviews:

A Mixed Bag.......2006-01-08

I know you should review the CD/DVD as it is, and not compare it to some imaginary version in your head, but with this one it is too hard. It just seems like a huge missed opportunity to do something much, much better.

Ok, the map is great, and the booklet has stunningly beautiful photos. Of course it is impossible to give any kind of serious over-view of the stunning variety of African music in a single CD, and I didn't expect it. If you want a nice over-view of the amazing variety of music in Africa, I would recommend the three-CD set, Africa Never Stand Still, if it is still in print. I am a big fan of most of the artists on this CD (King Sunny Ade, Oumou Sangare, Cesaria Evora, Cheikh Lo, Pierre Akendengue, Pepe Kalle, African Fiesta, etc.) but their music is readily available elsewhere. No, I bought this specifically for the DVD, and that's the only really weak part of the package.

When you see a DVD with a bunch of artist names listed on it, what do you expect? Music videos? Live footage? Interviews? I certainly did, and I was really looking forward to seeing Cheikh Lo performing. Unfortunately, that is not what you get. The songs are used as a soundtrack for random, largely unexplained footage from Africa. Nigerian singer King Sunny Ade's (CLASSIC!) "Ja Funmi" is used as background music of footage from...Kenya. Malian Diva Oumou Sangare's music is used as background for footage of from Mozambique and Ethiopia. The music is great, and some of the footage is wonderful (I particularly like the footage of the marketplace in Uganda, and of the coronation in Uganda, the latter of which featured music from...the Congo). I just don't understand who decided to mix and match the countries and music, as if they are all somehow interchangeable. It is absolutely disorienting to keep having to check the booklet to see who is singing what from where, and where the footage was shot.

Another complaint is that sometimes in the footage a small local group of musicians will break out into a performance, with people dancing and obviously enjoying the music, but we never hear it, because we are stuck with the pre-recorded soundtrack.

I think this video might be nice playing anonymously in the background of a party, where people could just enjoy the music and occasionally watch the pretty images, but even then they would be frustrated if they wanted to know more about who was performing what from where. If they could have at LEAST matched the music to footage from the same country, I would have given this four stars. I know Palm Pictures can do better than this, because I would rate their Baaba Maal CD/DVD set in this series SIX Stars out of five, and he's not even one of my favorite singers.

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World Music

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World Music

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