Live at the Acropolis (CD & DVD)

Yanni | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B000B7QCKO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  VHS Tape  |  DVD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (240 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,381 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #17 in Music > Rock > Progressive > Electronic

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Santorini

2. Keys To Imagination

3. Until The Last Moment

4. The Rain Must Fall

5. Acroyali/Standing In Motion; Acroyali\ Standing In Motion

6. One Man's Dream

7. Within Attraction

8. Nostalgia

9. Swept Away

10. Reflections Of Passion

Disc: 2

1. Santorini

2. Until The Last Moment

3. Keys To Imagination

4. The Rain Must Fall

5. Felitsa

6. Within Attraction

7. One Man's Dream

8. Marching Season

9. Nostalgia

10. Acroyali/Standing In Motion; Acroyali\ Standing In Motion

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Yanni can be likened to 1970s rock group Emerson, Lake and Palmer. There are several basic parallels, especially in this orchestra-enhanced concert reworking of his more propulsive, anthemic compositions. Yanni, who in concert sometimes strikes the rapturous two-keyboard "iron-cross" pose that served as one of Keith Emerson's trademarks, uses, as ELP did, classical and world-music influences to elevate pop-inclined compositions to more sophisticated levels. He then turbocharges the whole concoction with bold strokes of prog-rock bravura to give his finest pieces a dramatic, chest-swelling, larger-than-life impact. A key difference between the two acts, of course, is Yanni possesses a much stronger romantic streak, plus he refrains from attacking his keyboards with sharp objects. At his best, Yanni strikes incendiary sparks with the driving, celebratory quality of his music, and this production, culling some of the best audio moments from his much-televised 1993 concert performance in Athens, is a most appealing showcase. Yanni can sometimes strike the sonic hammer as forcefully as a Greek god ("Santorini," "Keys to Imagination") and, on this album at least, gives even overtly romantic pieces ("One Man's Dream," "Swept Away") a warmly masculine flair. Beautifully arranged and recorded; a pleasure to experience. --Terry Wood

Product Description

* Expanded package includes new photos and new liner notes. * The DVD features the most dramatic footage filmed of Yanni live in concert. * The DVD contains backstage interviews and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the video.

On the night of September 25, 1993, beneath the golden glow of the Parthenon, a standing-room-only crowd assembled to witness a stunning spectacle of sight and sound. The majestic stone arches of the 2,000 year-old Herod Atticus Theatre became the setting for a performance of a lifetime. The passionate crowd warmly embraced its native son, internationally known composer and performer, Yanni, who was returning home after two decades in America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you can feel the magic, December 23, 2001

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Live at the Acropolis [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This concert from evening of September 23, 1993, must have been a wonderful event to have experienced...the VHS of it is a polished gem that will never go out of style. The professionalism and musicianship is outstanding, and the setting is magical...with 2000 year old arches surrounding the open air stage, and the amazing structures of ancient Greece lit up against the night sky.

Shardad Rohani conducts the London Royal Pholharmonic Concert Orchestra, as well as doing a terrific violin duet with Karen Briggs, the super violinist member of Yanni's fabulous group. Her solos are a knock-out, as well as those of the rest of the band, among them Charlie Adams on drums, Ric Fierabracci on bass, and Michael "Kalani" Bruno on percussion.

Yanni looks stunning and plays beautifully on a grand piano, as well as an assortment of keyboards...you can tell he is also leading the entire show...and it's quite a show.
There's a touching song he sings for his mother Felitsa, who sits in the audience, next to the gorgeous Linda Evans, both of them glowing with pride.

Directed by George Veras with 14 cameras, the editing is a marvel, a constant flow images that keeps one's interest and works to perfection with the music...the concert is an hour and 35 minutes long, with an added 5 minutes of backstage interviews.

This is one to take out of your tape library once in a while, and wish you'd been there, on this very special night under the Grecian stars.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'd like this movie even if you don't like Yanni, May 17, 2003

By 

Mike Griswold (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yanni - Live at the Acropolis (DVD)

I'm not a fan of "new age" music. However, I am a fan of Yanni Live at the Acropolis. The location of this concert is under the ancient Greek parthenon. The production of the show is great, the lighting makes the ancient theatre seem like it's in the same shape as it were in its prime. I saw this on PBS a long time ago and I haven't lost interest in the music since; the DVD reaffirms to a greater extent. Something special took place at the Acropolis that night and the video recreates most of the show.

The DVD is in 5.1 digital audio and the sound is superb. Yanni's music is awe-inspiring moving, and emotional. The concert was Yanni's return to Greece from his long departure to America. The emotions are flowing, he dedicates a song to his mother; the band and especially the violinist in the red dress play amazingly. Finally, the concert ends with Yanni addressing "a thought" to the audience concerning the human condition and ends the show to a standing ovation. One can only wonder what the ancient Greeks would think of this show after viewing Yanni: Live at the Acropolis. I think that they'd like it. I recommend this to anyone.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indeed, a great experience!, September 27, 2000

By 

Art Critique "Art Critique" (Cary, NC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yanni - Live at the Acropolis (DVD)

I think Yanni has envisaged this album for all kinds of people. The scores chosen are really excellent and appropriate. All the artists are given equal chance to exhibit their skills. Especially the violinist - Wow!

Santorini is a real grandeur. The music just flows. I just recalled the moment I heard Yanni for the first time - it was Santorini. I was so thrilled to see Yanni playing it and I was not disappointed. It is a double-feast for I could feel not only the music but also the beauiful scenes of the structures from Acropolis appropriately picturized for the song. But unfortunately, this feast ends here itself.

Keys to imagination, Within Attractions and One man's dream are fantastic. Aria is another masterpiece. Felista is a nice song for his mother. The End of August is to end the nice evening with a style.

I think Yanni has given his best for this album - as he says. But I found two things missing in the DVD version: the sound effects are not all that good when compared to the CD version. The visual effects, especially lighting in most of the times, jazzy.

Indeed a great experience. I felt, sometimes, as if I were in Greece.