Classical Spirit

Sacred Spirit (Artist), Brave (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Brave
• Audio CD (January 28, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Higher Octave
• ASIN: B00007MB8W
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,344 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Divine Works I

2. O' Ecclesia

3. Prelude (after Bach)

4. Divine Works II

5. Adagio (after Barber)

6. Gloria Deo Patri

7. Adagio (after Albioni)

8. Sonata No. 14, Adagio Sostenuto (after Beethoven)

9. Tranquility

10. Organ Concerto (after Bach)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crossing boundaries, August 21, 2006

By 

Tom Knapp "Rambles.NET editor" (Lancaster, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classical Spirit (Audio CD)

There are firm boundaries dividing the musical genres of new age, sacred chant, electronica and classical music. And you'll find them all crossed here, on this album from the genius of The Brave (a.k.a. Klaus Zundel). Drawing on classical roots and inspirations, this oddly named writer and producer has created layers of lush sound that stir the spirit and mend the soul.

The music sits quietly in the background, a perfect ambient moodsetter or inducement to relax. It flows gently, washing over your senses without intruding. But, unlike much of the music on the ambient market, "Classical Spirit" stands up to focused attention, too. Let the music hook your ear and follow the delicate, highly detailed textures of sound. Hone in on the nuances and marvel at the sophistication and workmanship. It intrigues and absorbs. It satisfies and uplifts. It soothes and entertains.

"Classical Spirit" is not for the classic music snob. But for those whose tastes stretch from Ludwig von Beethoven to Hildegard von Bingen and from Jean Michel Jarre to Enigma, there's a whole lot here to like.

by Tom Knapp, Rambles.NET editor

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative chill-out music, December 15, 2003

By 

"cambridge39" (Canton, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classical Spirit (Audio CD)

Each of the ten tracks on the compact disc Classical Spirit is, as the back cover of the "jewel case" states, "an invitation to relax and allow your mind to wander on a new ambient path . . ." The recording is written, produced, arranged, performed and mixed by The Brave, whose Sacred Spirit II was nominated for a Grammy.

The selections on Classical Spirit draw their inspiration from the works of classical composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Albinoni, Beethoven, and Samuel Barber, as well as from the mystical works of Hildegard von Bingen. But the selections are not merely updated versions of old melodies. Though inspired by the classical works, The Brave has created original works of art.

In selection number 7, for example, based on an adagio of Albinoni, we first hear a prominent beat while the synthesizer plays a faint melody. The melody at times becomes more prominent than the beat. At times we hear a barely audible chorus but cannot make out the words (at least I couldn't!). There is some mild percussion.

In many of the selections we hear a chorus, described in the accompanying notes as a "Russian choir." They sing sometimes in Latin, sometimes in German. Their focus is on producing a sort of background sound, not on communicating the words of the text. Susann Caroll recites poetry in a few of the tracks. We hear a guitar in one track.

The effect of the music is soothing and uplifting, but it is never cloying. I would find the recording well suited for listening to at home late at night by candlelight if one were in a meditative mood. "This is chill-out music," says The Brave, who considers the recording suitable for taking to the beach, on a day after a party, "to regenerate your spirits."

I recommend the recording highly. It is superlative "chill-out" music.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "rarely do we come across something so beautiful", January 29, 2003

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classical Spirit (Audio CD)

Higher Octave and The Brave open the path to journey's inside my mind with "Classical Spirit", the latest into the realm of the "Spirit Series". This release features chants, synthesizers beautiful arrangements of old composers (Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig von Beethoven and Samuel Barber) over the last few centuries. Rarely do we come across something so beautiful, we are transported by each delicate phrase in a way no other genre can touch. Each cue reaches the deepest level of emotion through melodies of long ago.

This albums follows suit within the boundaries of past releases "Sacred Spirit", "Sacred Spirit II", "Indigo Spirit", Spiritual Spiritual" (B-Tribe), "Moroccan Spirit" and "Spirit of Silence"(Rose Moore) takes the listener on a more personal level within each haunting arrangement.

Each cue is a highlight "DIVINE WORKS", opens the program of discovery beyond the intangible ~ "ADAGIO", by Samuel Barber gives us meaning of peace and loving reflection ~ "GLORIA DEO PATRI", mellow renditions flow within each tone, gorgeous melodies of violin blending a haunting theme ~ "SONATA NUMBER 14", the slow awesome sound of the organ, as Beethoven's theme breaks through the clouds, driving music that is never instrusive...providing the listener with a sense of being.

Total Time: 48:15 on 10 Tracks ~ Higher Octave HOMCD-13138 ~ (1/28/2003)