|
Music of the Spheres is indeed a complex layered Oldfield masterpiece, but which flows beautifully, revealing a relaxed and calm character which is never laboured or awkward. Haunting flutes, thundering timpani, wonderfully crisp classical guitar all combine in a very elegant creation, very different to the close and precise sound of a small recording studio, with a realism about it, an expansive sound with a grand sense of space.
What Music of the Spheres shares with some of Mike's most stunning albums is a full range of contrast between beautiful quiet serenity and overwhelming intensity, held together with some of the most memorable melodies of Mike's career. Despite Karl Jenkins assisting with the orchestral arrangement, Mike's signature is unmistakable, from the layered and intertwined themes, to his own classical guitar, added to create a very natural and underused combination of guitar, choir and orchestra. I've been wondering for a few years if music just can't move me in the way it did when I was younger, as it's been many years since I've heard anything that sent shivers down my spine, or had me close to tears. Hearing Music of the Spheres has reassured me that it's not my soul fading, but that music that moves as deeply as this is a very rare thing! However you may categorise it, Music of the Spheres will almost certainly last the test of time, but more than that, deserves instant recognition now for what is a truly exceptional masterpiece. Review by Chris Dewey
1. Harbinger (Listen) - 04.08
The European press launch event was on 7th March in Bilbao Spain, featuring soloists Mike Oldfield and Hayley Westenra, where the entire piece was played live with orchestra and choir for the international press, and was recorded and currently being mixed in Madrid for release as a free bonus when the album is purchased on iTunes. From Tuesday 18th you will be able to buy the following products on iTunes : the standard album, a video interview from Karl Jenkins and from Mike himself, a live rendition of the album (recorded in Bilbao) and a PDF booklet (the sleeve notes), expected to retail at around £12. A group of our subscribers won tickets via our competition to win one of a limited number of tickets to the event. This rehearsal video was recorded on Tues 4th March in San Sebastián by eitb, with a video interview also available. There has also been some TV coverage of the live concert also available at elpais, elmundo and etb2: Look out for special promotions online, particularly on www.hmv.co.uk (competition with prize of the full annotated orchestral score used during the recordings) and iTunes (exclusive bonus live recording from the press launch eventl). The Daily Mail has a double page review in today's reviews section (14th March). Music Of The Spheres will be ‘Album Of The Week’ in Morrisons, and will also be on instore display at Asda, Woolworths, WHSmith and Tesco. On ClassicFM, Simon Bates (08:00 till 12:00) has made the album his album of the week, playing pieces from it daily each day this week. Mike will be talking about MOTS on 'The Guest List' show airing on Sunday 06th April 2008 on Classic FM. Mike will also be on 'The Classic FM Magazine Show' - presented by Mark Forrest - this coming Friday (23:00 - 00:00) Spheres, an original demo from the album will be released as a digital download on 3rd March. From www.mikeoldfield.com: "The initial piece of music Mike recorded when conceiving the idea for this album and it doesn’t feature the involvement of Karl Jenkins or any other musicians." It will be available 'from all good digital retailers". This track was number one track at the download site www.7digital.com on 11th March The promotional release in Music of the Spheres tin includes a heat sensitive mug mat, shaped insert brochure, and EPK disc featuring 2 video clips.
Universal Classics & Jazz website has Mike as a featured artist. Read more here. |
I did wonder how Mike would interpret 'classical'? Orchestral instruments, and hopefully the complexity of some of his most exciting work? I do have to admit that I did have one concern - Mike is renowned for his pursuit of perfection, and has been known to spend weeks looking for exactly the right sound to use in a recording. Without electronic sampling, and limited to less than 50 distinct instruments and choir, could Mike have limited his creativity by not using the full sound palette he is used to?
The opening bars of Music of the Spheres sound familiar, being clearly derivative of the Tubular Bells intro, but don't let that stop you listening to the detail and intricacy which rapidly help you realise this is an absolutely distinct piece of music with its own character and soul. Right from the start, new themes begin and develop to a full and dynamic sound with the full encompassing power of a whole orchestra of musicians.
