Elgar: Enigma Variations

Advantages: It is simply one of the finest pieces of music ever written
Disadvantages: How dare you ask of any disadvantges!?!

...THE MAN: SIR EDWARD ELGAR It's probably futile for me to tell you who is Edward Elgar. To the British readers here he holds about the same position as Sibelius does for me as a Finn, being THE composer whose musical language captures the ideologies of the country, working as a kind of stereotypical signature for the people. Elgar was born in 1857 as the son of a music shop owner and through a course of self-instruction became a masterful orchestrator and soon found himself as a reknowned choral composer with a great deal of choral works and other religiously titled pieces to his credit. However, it was not until 1899 that his reputation was sealed as a truly great composer when he wrote the masterful "Variations on an Original Theme 'Enigma'", which contained musical portraits of friends of Elgar and became an instant success. After... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Enigma doing what they do best
Disadvantages: Tad on the short side

...Enigma again produce another album that makes for inspired listening. For the screen behind the mirror enigma this time turn to classical music as a source of inspiration mixing it brilliantly with their haunting electronic sounds. Although being somewhat short in length, having a playtime of less than 50 mins enigma make up in quality what they lack in quantity. Whilst its arguable that the album does not possess any potential top ten hits, the album does provide a collection of hits that are destined to rank amongst their best work. This album is a must for any enigma fans.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful

Advantages: Good background listening
Disadvantages: Odd mixture of music on the Uplifting disc

...I will say from the start that I am certainly no expert on classical music. I do often have Classic FM on the radio at home and recently bought their 2 CD set, Voices 2008. This is a compilation containing a selection of vocal pieces from the worlds of choral music and opera. There are pieces in this collection which you would immediately recognise on hearing them, even if their names are not familiar. In the set is a CD of relaxing pieces and a CD of uplifting pieces, so you have the choice of which best suits your mood. The notes which accompany the set are very brief, so here I am adding my own impressions along with information I have found from other sources. Track Listing Relaxing CD 1 Elgar - 'Lux Aeterna'. This is a vocal arrangement of the piece titled Nimrod from the Enigma Variations. Elgar wrote... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful