Metamorphosis (Dig)

Uli Jon Roth | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 5, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hunter
• ASIN: B0000D96OB
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,331 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Prelude to the Seasons

2. The Spring: Venga La Primavera

3. The Spring: April Rain

4. The Spring: The Triumph of Spring

5. The Summer: Tales of The Summer Wind

6. The Summer: Thunder In July

7. The Summer: The Tempest - Tuona e Fulmina

8. The Autumn: Cheiron and Selenos

9. The Autumn: Teardrops In October

10. The Autumn: Artemis

11. The Winter: Ice, Wind & Fire

12. The Winter: Sleighbells At Yasnaya

13. The Winter: War of The Winds

14. Thunder Cadenza

15. Cry of the Night

16. Summer's Breath

17. Rodeo From Hell

18. Les Adieux

19. Springtime Euphoria

20. The heart of Chopin

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Herr Roth says: "For many years it had been a dream of mine to one day record the whole of Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons on the guitar. One part of me wanted to do this simply because it was uncharted territory in terms of guitar playing and, for good reason, had never been attempted before, but most importantly, because of the the very special fascination this music held for me from the first moment I ever heard it. There are plenty of good reasons why it is probably the most performed musical piece of all time; after all, this is not just `any' piece of classical music, but one of the great masterpieces of Western civilization and an all-time favourite of music lovers all over the world ever since the day it was first heard. Vivaldi is just as fresh and exciting in 2003 as it was nearly 300 years ago when it was written by the man himself in Italy."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply Phenomenal! Revolutionary!! GREAT!!!, October 18, 2004

By 

CyberTiger (NW Indiana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Metamorphosis (Dig) (Audio CD)

I am a late comer to Uli, having just gotten into him about a year ago. I'd never heard of him as I was a "rock and roll snob" and only thought that Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, Page, Green, Santana/Schon, Betts/Allman, Johnny Winter and Van Halen and Stevie Ray ruled! I have been aware of the "nuclear guitarists" like Vai, MacAlpin, Howe, Johnson and Joey Satriani and Yngwie. I read a review once of Yngwie where he gives great praise to Uli and that's how I sought him out. If Hendrix were alive, I think that he'd want to meet Uli in the same way that he first wanted to meet Clapton when he first went to England. Although Eddie and the "nuclear boys"previously mentioned here are great, Uli surpasses them by light years. The key is not only is he obviously technically capable, but he pulls it off with the same emotion as B.B. King or Albert or Freddy, get out of their guitars. Not knocking Vai or MacAlpine, but somehow they come off as technical specialists that may have majored at their type of music in some sort of super guitarists college, Uli's playing seems more "natural" and expressive. Many reviewers have placed this in the "great violinists mode" I agree. Uli is striving to be the "Jascha Heifetz" of electric guitar and I think that he is close. Ynwie is sort of in the same realm but all he seems to do is fast runs all over the place nonstop, whereas Uli seems to know when and when not to do this. I am a guitarist and play blues/rock guitar, although my tastes lie more with Peter Green, Clapton and Hendrix, Uli is a breath of fresh air for something completely different. John McLaughlin should collaborate with Uli, not on "speed racing" riffs but since John is a well-versed musician, I think that he could lend his talents to Uli in some way and get him the publicity that he deserves. I am sure that there are millions of highschool kids all practicing Van Halen, Rhoads and Metallica riffs not knowing that a JUGGERNAUGHT of guitarists lie in our midst and that person is ULI JON ROTH!! Buy this album, even if you aren't a guitarist, I think that you would enjoy this. Thanks for reading this.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Gem from the Master, November 16, 2003

By 

Ronald C. DeBlanc (Escondido, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Metamorphosis (Audio CD)

This latest release from the master of the sky guitar is truly stunning. It should appeal to the entire spectrum from modern guitar aficionados through adventuresome classical music listeners. Uli's interpretations of this renowned piece of music is clearly reverent, while at the same time bringing both a fresh perspective and a unique instrumental voice to the timeless melodies and arrangements. The guitar work is no less than breathtaking. His technical virtuosity is, as always, the leading edge of the instrument. But rather than simply blazing through the composition, Uli performs each piece with the nuance and grace that Vivaldi must have had in mind during the composition, while at times showing the fiery intensity of a Jascha Heifetz. The fusion of electric guitar and traditional orchestral instruments is seamless--at no point does it sound unnatural or forced. As an encore, there is a "fifth season" that contains melodies and arrangements reminiscent of the Prologue album, while periodically recapitulating and extrapolating some themes from the main body of the work--this time in a more daring and exuberant way. And finally, the packaging is clearly Uli's crowing achievement in this category. There is a blend of historic art, original pieces and thoughtful poetry to accompany and elaborate on each season. The seasons themselves become a metaphor for creation and the cycle of life, inevitable death, and glorious rebirth. The artwork almost makes one long for the days of LPs, where it would have been just that much more grand. This record will be welcomed by current Roth fans and is sure to delight the ear of any music lover willing to give it a listen.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow...impressive, September 13, 2005

By 

Chris Ochman "The Eclectic Listener" (Fredericksburg, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Metamorphosis (Dig) (Audio CD)

I love Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Absolutely love it!

So I saw this, and I like power metal...and the thought of an electric guitar with the Seasons, was just interesting to me, so I picked up the CD.

It takes awhile to get used to at first, but after that, it's just amazing. Alot of the solos are just like...it GOES with an electric guitar. Mr. Roth is extremely talented to be able to pull that kind of stuff off.

If you're looking for something different, a little edgy and perhaps just throwing yourself to wind, try this. Especially if you like classical and metal. I mean, it's just an awesome mix!

Go ahead, buy it!