Product Details

• Actors: Andreas Vollenweider
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Savoy Jazz
• DVD Release Date: April 4, 2006
• Run Time: 226 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000EHQ8FU
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,490 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A pioneer in the world of harp performance, Andreas Vollenweider is a world musician in the truest sense of the word. Blending elements from the classical, jazz, Eastern, world, and new age music genres, this self-described storyteller utilizes a modified harp and original, often highly improvisational music to communicate with listeners not only on an artistic level, but on emotional and intuitive levels; striving to inspire a thoughtfulness that will impact a listener's very perception of themselves and the larger world. The PBS program The Magical Journeys of Andreas Vollenweider features 25 years of live concert performances by Andreas Vollenweider from such far-reaching places as Switzerland, Tokyo, Montreux, Poland, New York and Germany. Showcasing his talent on harp as well as piano, vocals, gu-cheng, kora, and clay flute, Vollenweider is equally effective whether backed by a small jazz combo, a Chinese orchestra, or a full symphonic orchestra and in venues as diverse as outdoor amphitheatres, intimate indoor theatres, or full size concert halls. Guest artists abound featuring everything from pop singer Carly Simon, to Armenian duduk player Djivan Gasparyan and jazz piano great Abdullah Ibrahim. What remains consistent through every performance is the intense expressiveness of Vollenweider's music. A man of many musical images and few words, the bonus documentary features Andreas Vollenweider's story of what music means to him, of his approach to musical storytelling and a history of how his musical journey has been influenced by family, musicians from other cultures, poetry, emotion, intuition, and a desire to communicate across social and cultural boundaries. Other bonus features include three music videos and over 100-minutes of concert specials including the 1987 Down to the Moon in Tokyo Japan, 2001 The Cosmopoly Project in Basle Switzerland, 1999 Wolkenstein in Zurich Switzerland, and 2001 Tales of Kira Kutan in Warsaw Poland. --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description
The Magical Journeys is a spellbinding collection of concert performances celebrating the universality of music and the human spirit. Featuring spectacular concert settings and rare back stage behind the scenes footage captured the world over.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for Vollenweider fans, May 4, 2006

By	AVFanSince1984 "BP" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

If you're like me, you discovered the music of Andreas Vollenweider in the mid 1980s. You eagerly awaited each album's release, and bought every one of them. You dreamed of seeing the man in concert, a rare thing over these many years, at least for American fans. You have wanted to actually see him play that magical harp. And now you can, with the release of this DVD, The Magical Journeys of Andreas Vollenweider.

There is so much material on this single disc, I don't know how they fit it all and I just don't know where to begin describing it. Footage of the PBS-aired show of the same name is the main entree in this musical feast, but there is much more to see and hear. Long segments of concert footage, interviews, practice sessions -- the depth of material included is astounding. You will see young Andreas improvising on flute while his father Hans plays a cathedral organ. You will see entire album sides played true almost to the note, as well as variations on familiar pieces. You will see sessions where experimentation and improvisation between Andreas and any number of musical "guests" produce pieces that you have never heard on any album.

This collection of video is visually rich but full-to-bursting with sound. Don't try to watch every last thing on the disc at one sitting or you will be oversaturated. It's almost too much of a good thing.

I was lucky. I was able to see Vollenweider perform live a few years back when he toured the U.S. as a one-man show primarily in smaller venues. The intimacy and nearness to his music was priceless. This DVD gives you a similar sense, whether it's just Andreas working his harp or one of his colleagues playing some odd instrument or other, providing some of the unique sounds you have come to expect from the music that this great composer and performer creates.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See the magic being created, January 11, 2007

By	Brian Clever "bclever" (Oswego, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This DVD is astounding. If you've ever wondered just how that beautiful music was made you need this disc. Concerts from each era of Andreas' work are presented, from the simple 7 or eight piece band of "Down to the Moon" to the full orchestra of "Kryptos" are included. My personal favorites are the behind the scenes clips from the recording of "Book of Roses" including the recording session with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the flamenco duets (tracks 7, 8 and 9 on the Book of Roses CD). I will confirm what other reviewers have said: the amount of material on this
DVD is tremendous. It requires several nights of viewing to complete it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insight into Andreas, January 3, 2007

By	Mark E. Whitehouse "OzMarcus" (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have followed Andreas' career since about '83 and been fascinated by the material that he continually manages to produce. This DVD is a great insight in to what makes him tick, his background and philosophies and behind the scenes of some of the magnificent tracks he has produced.
Highly recommended