The Best of Vanessa-Mae [Original recording reissued]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Vanessa-Mae (Composer), Giorgio / Summer, Donna / Bellotte, Peter Moroder (Composer), Andy Vanessa-Mae / Hill (Composer), Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Mike Batt (Composer), David / Laflamme, Linda Laflamme (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Vanessa-Mae, Giorgio / Summer, Donna / Bellotte, Peter Moroder, Andy Vanessa-Mae / Hill, Antonio Vivaldi, et al.
• Audio CD (March 25, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00008GQF8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,140 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #67 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Keyboard > Organ
  • #71 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Overtures
  • #99 in Music > Pop > Euro Pop > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classical Music With A Pop Twist, March 19, 2004

By 

Rudy Avila "Saint Seiya" (Lennox, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best of Vanessa-Mae (Audio CD)

The violinist Vanessa Mae has been a recording artist and performer of classical music for a while now, but it was recently when I heard her version of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor which opens this album. Vanessa Mae combines the fiery passion and technical art of playing violin with the background music imitating the music that's hot today among the young- rock, pop, alternative, New Age. She is a revolutionary artist,
who comes off like a rock star who can play classical. And does she ever play classical! She has mastered the art of the violin in its detailed facets- intensity, sorrow, beauty, drama. The cd opens with Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach, which Miss Mae has arranged for violin and a rather upbeat contemporary background music. It is nothing like the Stokowski orchestra arrangement but it is very effective and quite pleasurable to hear. Very intense and lively. It actually makes you want to dance.

The Puccini opera Turandot contains the famous tenor aria "Nessun Dorma" which Vanessa Mae has arranged for violin. The romantic melody of the aria, the perfect balance of beauty and passion, are vividly displayed. The "softer" sounds of the violin are detailed and a perfect contrast to the stormy sounds of the Bach Toccata and Fugue that preceeds it. The rest of the music are colorful and engaging. There is a violin version of a tune from Scotland, more than likely a folk song. The Winter and Summer movements from Vivaldi's Four Seasons are excellent renditions and sure to amaze you with it's unconventional take.
Finally, the Devil Trill Sonata is aptly dramatic. The good thing about Vanessa Mae's music is that her violin is faithful to the original classical sounds of the pieces, even if the background "orchestra" is contemporary in nature.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is GREAT!, June 10, 2004

By 

Eileen Avari (Overland Park, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Vanessa-Mae (Audio CD)

Being a classical fan myself, I find this music wonderful. The only problem with classical music is that it can sometimes be slow. Vanessa-Mae's music is a mix between classical and contemporary music, and is spectacular. My favorite songs are Happy Valley and I'm Doun for Lack o Johnny, though all of them are great. They are all filled with emotion that makes it such a good CD. The music is dramatic, sad, and uplifting. I would highly recommend this CD.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Certainly the best of Vanessa-Mae, June 3, 2007

By 

J. C. (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Best of Vanessa-Mae (Audio CD)

I have heard of Vanessa-mae for several years, but it was not until recently that I became interested in her work after stumbling on some of her MTVs on youtube. After viewing "Destiny," "Contradanza," and "Devil's Trill" I found her music intriguing enough to try out her other works. After sampling several of Vanessa-Mae's CDs, I will have to say this is literally her best CD so far.

I enjoyed listening to the great majority of the compositions on this CD. Most of the tracks are up-beat, pop like, although with a stronger classical bend than Bond/Yanni. Nevertheless, several of the tracks are simply classical in nature. Therefore, this combination showcases the range of Vanessa-Mae's work very well. I am highly anticipating her next work, as I am interested to know how she is developing her violin skills - some of the compositions on this CD, although still refreshing, are around a decade old...!

But if this is your first introduction to Vanessa-Mae, this is the CD you should get.