Customer Reviews

Meditations on Pachelbel's Canon

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Seems that its getting common for composers to use classical materials and transform it into new-age music. We had Yanni using "The Flower Duet"from "Lakme"& transform it into "Aria". Then we had Paul Schwartz following suit with his fantastic "Aria" & "Aria II". I must give credit to Continuo for their daring approach in mixing religious element into this classical masterpiece. The Hindu drumbeats gives this "Canon" a very "Buddhism" feel. There maybe traces of repetitions, but I think that's the whole idea of "Meditations On Pachelbel's Canon". Do not listen to it from your memory & with a biased attitude of how music should be, then one will find the music always always refreshing and ever-transforming. It coincides with Buddhism's idea that nothing is stagnant. Also, I like the the way the vocal singing and chanting was added into the pieces. I think the music is progressive in idea and technically, it is a very stylish classical masterpiece using synthesizers and traditional musical instruments to embellishment the music. Anyone who likes New-age, Classical, Trance/Ambient, Ethnic/Religious music should not miss this one.

I heard this while browsing at a bookstore and had to have it. If you're not familiar with Pachelbel (I wasn't), I suggest you find the original. No doubt, you will recognize the tune since variations of it have been used in soundtracks, commercials and such. It's catchy, and it's addictive. You will easily find yourself humming it over and over...:-) and no, you won't get sick of it. I even had a friend email me, asking me where to find this CD. He had heard it playing in my car and couldn't get over it. Another gentleman at a Perfomance Driving School recognized it but had never heard this version. Yup, he wanted to know where to get it too.

Continuo's version is a breathtaking blend of native american sounds and some opera-style vocals thrown in. Apparently, he used the actual instruments wherever possible instead of synthesizers. That commitment is definitely evident in this work.

The downside to this CD is not the music or it's quality, but the arrangement. The composition is actually just one continuous melody but for some reason, they (Climate) separated it into 7 tracks. It was annoying to me 'cause it actually sounded like the CD was skipping when going on to the next track. What I ended up doing, and I would advise this to anyone who can do it, was copying the entire CD onto my PC. Then I used a sound editor (Sound Forge) to "splice" the tracks together. I then burned the finished product onto a CD. NOW it sounds just the way it's supposed to, as a single continuous track with no breaks. If you can get this done, you will be glad you did. I am.

Oh, I almost forgot. BUY this CD. You won't regret it. My 2 cents. :-)

There aren't enough words to describe what one listening can convey. I first heard this album when I walked into a new-agey store in New York's Greenwich Village. Within minutes I found myself at the counter purchasing a copy. Fortunately it's a CD because if it were an album it would be worn thin by now.

On paper this has to be a seemingly preposterous combination: a 17th century piece of classical music, ambient motifs, Indian meditation vocals, a soprano, and world music rhythms. It's not the first time Pachelbel's Canon has been given a modern treatment but this version is outstanding, though it will probably have classical music purists nonplussed.

The arrangements of the Canon are sympathetic and difficult to fault, I suspect that this is because the composer behind Continuo -- Victor Friedberg -- is classically trained. He shows real talent in adding rhythms and effects around the Canon that add to its emotional impact without sounding too incongruous. The rhythms and meditation vocals instil a distinctly (Asian) Indian feel to the music, which coupled with ambient effects and pop style beats makes for an interesting and very satisfying listening experience to those willing to take the music on its own terms.

I have a real soft spot for the Canon and have been playing Continuo's meditations a lot in the few weeks it's been in my possession. Every now and again I come across music which is addictive and demands repeated plays that I don't easily tire of, Continuo is the latest of such music to be keeping my CD player busy. A little more variety would be welcome though, I would have awarded it 5 stars if some of the meditations weren't too much alike.

This is the most inspiring, peaceful, beautiful music I have ever heard. You can reflect on and listen to it over and over again and will never get sick of it. It gives me goose bumps no matter how many times I hear it. It's a great buy and you won't regret getting it. It's just too beautiful to explain it in words. You have to have your soul/heart listen to it and you will know what i'm talking about. (...)

I first heard the incredibly beautiful song of 'Canon In D' at the end of a movie called 'Ordinary People' THAT same version, (I call the 'Original Version' since it's the first one and THE most intense one) changed my life DRAMATICALLY. I RAN and bought the 'Ordinary People' soundtrack. I then bought other recordings of this same 'Original version' and played for hours on end, over and over every day for years. I choreographed and danced ballet to it. I can still to this day, play it on any instrument I pick up(whether I know how to play the instrument or not..I pick it out) I would write poems to it trying to describe the intense,extreme mellow beauty it brought to me. I would meditate to it, sleep to it. Recover from sickness with it,etc,etc,etc! I later listened to other versions of it and while all good, the 'Original Version' (with the three violin plucks playing as accent to the melody)is by far the most beautiful. Continuo has done an Excellent job with Canon though and it's very interesting with all the sound effects and the opera interwoven into it. I'm listening to it right now in fact:) THIS song is ME. Everyone who knows me, connects me with this song! I played it at my wedding,during Labor, and wish it to be played at my funeral. GOD himself must've written this song for Angels...and yet Pachabel evesdropped, wrote it down for people on earth to experience.....

Fantastic! For ANYONE who loves Pachabel's canon and world music, this album is a masterpiece. Its only fault is that several of the tracks are very similar... but the mix of traditional western instruments, synthesizer, and various musical sounds from around the world make this CD a treasure!

I purchased this CD several years ago and it is one of my favorite relaxing CD's. I love Pachelbel's Canon and this is a refreshing mix of a classic. It encorporates the electronic music, with violin, and vocal. You don't get sick of it!!

It is very rare I write a review but I broke down for this one. I am an avid fan of new age music and of all the various in my collection, Meditations On Pachebel's Canon is the most wonderful. Pleasantly upbeat with an Enigma twist, I have found myself in a trance at times listening to this delightful mix of sounds with Pachebel's Canon in the background. The Finale puts a chill on my spine. If I feel down, this CD pulls me up. If I feel up, this music takes me higher. Thank You Continuo!

I love this music. Victor Friedberg did an outstanding job both with the performance and the compositions. The CD features music from all around the world along with various accompanying voices from undistinguishable (to me) origin. Wherever it's from, it sure flows well, and makes for a good listening. Anyone who ever liked Pachelbel's Canon is sure to love this.