Beyond Words (Au-Dela Des Mots)

Alan Stivell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 13, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dreyfus
• ASIN: B00006BXJP
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,245 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Harp, Water Wind

2. Celtica & Infinity (A)

3. Celtica & Infinity (B)

4. Hark! Merlin's Harp Waketh!

5. The Young Boy and the Harp

6. Bleimor, Le Bagad

7. Gourin-Pontivy

8. In The Breton Highlands

9. Music In The Scale of Sorrow

10. Winter's End

11. To-Morrow Morn' at Carolan's

12. The Atlantic Harp/The Tin Route

13. Celtica & Infinity (C)

14. Harp, Water, Wind

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Most Americans, even those of Irish or Scottish descent, are unaware that the Celtic world actually consists of six nations: Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany (Bretagne in French, Briezh in Breton) in western France. Brittany's ancient folkways were nearly extinct when Jord Cochevelou reconstructed a Breton harp from a wire-strung Irish prototype. His son, Alan Stivell (his stage name is the Breton word for fountain), became a worldwide sensation with Renaissance de la Harpe Celtique in 1972. The talented multi-instrumentalist likes to experiment. His albums have incorporated disparate influences, including African pop and rap, with varying success. But this set is diffused and filmy, pure Celtic Twilight. The harper strums along with the wind and the waves, much as he did 30 years ago. The tunes are pretty and relaxing; it's just that Stivell is capable of so much more. --Christina Roden

Product Description

50 years ago, Alan Stivell brought the long forgotten Celtic Harp back into use, beginning a career that would rouse worldwide interest in Celtic Music. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the modern Celtic Harp, Stivell has released a mesmerizing new instrumental album, "Beyond Words." The album focuses on Stivell’s various harps: some that mirror the ancient versions of the instrument, others that bear elements of the modern electric guitar. With its ancient melodies, Celtic modal structures, and serene soundscapes, "Beyond Words" is a masterwork of a world music legend.

Alan Stivell (All harps, Computer Programming, Keyboards, Percussions, Pipes & Whistles)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical!, February 1, 2007

By 

B. Hutchinson (West Coast, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond Words (Au-Dela Des Mots) (Audio CD)

I haven't listened to anything else since I got this CD. It has completely ensnared me, with the same power that Renaissance of the Celtic Harp did 30 years ago. He plays six different harps, including four that he designed and had built, including a "cristal-plexiglas" one. It all works beautifully.

Get it, listen, be carried away.