Songs From A Secret Garden - Secret Garden > Reviews > Music to dream to

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	outstanding, unique, uplifting, mood enhancing music
Disadvantages:	once you've heard the music you're hooked forever (if that's a disadvantage ! )

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

How I found them

I bought my first Secret Garden CD on the strength of the cover and description of the music - yes I was probably teetering on the brink of madness at the time! However it was the start of a love affair with this music that is so intense it colours my life.

Secret Garden background

The group came into being in 1994 when Irish lass Fionnuala Sherry met Norwegian lad Rolf Lovland and they started making beautiful music together. (Come on - I had to get a cliche in here somewhere!) Fionnuala started playing the violin at the age of 8 and when 15 moved to Dublin to study music at Trinity College. She has played with the RTE Concert Orchestra and been involved with The Chieftains, Sinead O'Connor, Chris de Burgh, Van Morrison, Wet Wet Wet and Bono. Rolf formed his first band at the age of 9 and ended up with a Masters degree in music from the Norwegian Institute of Music in Oslo. He won the Eurovision Song Contest twice, once in 1985 and then in 1995, making history by being the first person to win with a mainly instrumental track, Nocturne.

The Album

NOCTURNE (3.11) features Gunnhild Tvinnereim (vocal) Asa Jinder (Keyfiddle), Hans Frederik Jacobsen (whistle), Petter Skavlan (lyrics)
This track starts with a short verse, continues with a stunning violin/orchestral 'nocturne' and ends with another short verse.

PASTORALE (3.47) features Davy Spillane (Low whistle)
This opens with the low whistle and continues with violin/orchestra pulling your soul down wooded passages and green fields, from start to finish a 'soulful' track.

SONG FROM A SECRET GARDEN (3.32) features David Agnew (oboe)
A gentle piano which drifts into quiet violin passages that make you feel nostalgic for something you can't quite put your finger on.

SIGMA (3.05) features Rhonan Sugrue (boy soprano) Irish National Chamber Choir, Davy Spillane (low whistle) David Agnew (lyrics)
Starts with the low whisle and blends in the Irish lyrics - this sounds almost like a hymn with a touch of the Gregorian chant. The violin enters, weaving through the lyrics with such skill it takes your breath away.

PAPILLON (3.22) features Deirdre Brady (flute)
Introduced quietly by a piano passage which is picked up by the violin. Papillon is French for butterfly and the violin flits like the butterfly through this track taking you with it every step of the way.

SERENADE TO SPRING (3.12) features Hans Fredrik Jacobsen (whistle)
Predominantly violin backed by lilting orchestral and piano music which takes you twirling through meadows of spring flowers - a beautiful, lilting track.

ATLANTIA (2.56) features Davy Spillane (Uilleann pipe) Asa Jinder (keyharp) Hans Fredrik Jacobsen (Norwegian whistle)
The pipes interweave with the violin to give a mysterious feel to this track. It makes you think of unexplored, misty oceans and long forgotten, ancient sailors.

HEARTSTRINGS (3.22)
Truly a love affair between piano and violin - it speaks of loves found and lost

ADAGIO (2.51) features David Agnew (cor Anglais)
A 'heavier' track than the previous ones with a strong classical feel. The violin takes strong charge of this and flows effortlessly through your soul taking you with it every step of the way.

THE RAP (2.31) features Davy Spillane (low whistle and Uilleann pipe) Asa Jinder (keyfiddle) Hans Fredrik Jacobsen (whistle) Noel Eccles (percussion)
Evidently originally written as a Norwegian traditional tune this comes across as a very Irish piece with a foot tapping simple melody that will have you dancing along with it.

CHACONNE (3.25) features Davy Spillane (Uillean pipe) David Agnew (oboe)
If you could see this visually it would involve lords and ladies dancing a slow, stately dance in the French Palace of Versailles - a graceful, slow and beautiful track.

CANTOLUNA (3.29) features Jan Lechman (clarinet)
An Italian love song without words - I can imagine a lone violinist standing under the balcony of a beautiful Italian woman, his reflection dancing in one of the Venetian canals behind him as he plays this soulful tune of unrequited passion.

ODE TO SIMPLICITY (3.53)
Truly a simple piece of music, rather stark and sorrowful, the violin taking up the melody and winding it round your heart.

'BONUS CD'
I KNOW A ROSE TREE (5.04)
No info about this track on the cd insert.
It's a very beautiful track which is very remiscent of a hymn. The opening passage is played by a soulful violin and the vocals are provided first by male tenors and then by full choir - it makes my heart happy listening to this track.

Well, I hope this review gives you an idea of the magic of Secret Garden. The only thing I can really add now is that I have played my cds for many friends of all ages and musical tastes and at least 90 percent of them fell in love with the music. The other 10 percent (phillistines!) didn't dislike it.

If you want a taster before you lay out your hard earned cash to buy this cd, go to the Secret Garden website at www.secretgarden.no where you can hear some of their music.