Customer Reviews

Music from a Farther Room

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

On stage with Josh Groban, Lucia stands barefoot on the stage in a flowing blue taffeta gown standing almost on her toes like a ballerina as she reaches for that exclusive note. Groban generously acknowledges her brilliance, serves as executive producer on this CD and cites it from the stage, which led to this wonderful disc playing in my home. On "Music from A Farther Room," Lucia blazes a superb trail. The Paul Schwartz opener "Samarkand" throbs and pulses magically. From there to "Oblivion," a touching moving piece with Lucia making the Hannibal Fagnola Turin violin's tones swell majestically. Some of David Bowie's work has been greatly underrated for its musicality, but it's safe to say that Lucia takes "Lady Grinning Soul" from Bowie's 1973 "Aladdin Sane" LP to places only she (and now we through her) could have envisioned. The "Ravel String Quintet in F Major" is gloriously stunning with its pixie-like strings juxtaposed with Lucia's weeping violin. Leigh Nash adds the lone vocal on the Celtic-inflected "She is Like the Swallow." When I saw Josh Groban in Raleigh, his opening act Chris Botti played a jazz version of "My Funny Valentine." Putting that & Lucia's versions side by side is a study in how the same melody can yield vastly different feelings in the hands of different artists. Micharelli closes the set as stunningly as she began in the breathtaking "Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody" that marries a Paul Schwartz orchestral beginning to Queen's Freddy Mercury's rock classic. From beginning to end, Lucia Micharelli takes us to emotional places, exquisitely feeling, spanning centuries. What a talented debut from this young performer! Bravo!

I am a huge music fan and my interests span many styles. I love progressive rock, ambient/tribal music, jazz, rhythm and blues, and I LOVE classical chamber music. Perhaps not surprisingly, I've always found a close correlation between chamber music and the progressive rock movements. Both types of music combine precise and thoughtful composition, thematic continuity and a rigorous requirement for outstanding musicianship. Some of my favorite prog-rock pieces include lush orchestration as a supplement to the heavy electric sound of contemporary instruments; the mid-70's works of Jethro Tull jump to mind.

That being said, I've never really enjoyed "cross-over" music. I've always felt uncomfortable with established classical musicians trying their hand at "rock music." There's nothing creepier than the respected and revered artists trying to be something they are not; Sills singing disco or Perlman playing Nirvana. Okay, that may be extreme, but my point is - the attempt is usually feckless, uninspired and doomed to mediocrity.

Recently, my son and I attended a concert by the aforementioned band, Jethro Tull. We were absolutely blown out of our seats by a beautiful, barefooted wisp of a girl who came out on stage and stole the show from the grizzled veteran rockers with her charm, grace and unquestionable talent. She played a combination of violin-flute duets with Tull's front man, Ian Anderson, and absolutely floored the audience with a beautifully touching version of the Sibelius violin concerto, here labeled AURORA. From that point on, I was hooked! Not only did she play the classical pieces with great skill and emotion, but she absolutely rocked on classic Tull tunes, KASHMIR by Led Zeppelin, and her own stunning arrangement of Queen's BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY.

This CD is a beautiful debut and she has earned hundreds, if not thousands of life long fans with her brave choice of touring with popular musicians of all genre's. I didn't want to like this CD, but I ended up loving it!

I may be thirteen, but I know when I hear good music. I have been a fan of Josh Groban's for several years. When I went to Groban's Nashville concert, and saw Lucia directing the violins with fluid movements, and still playing flawlessly, I knew her upcoming CD would be one to treausure. I bought a few days ago, and have not stopped listening to it since. My favorite is either Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody, or She is like the Sparrow. Leigh Nash's very simple yet entrancing voice complements Micarelli's weaving violin.

This is definatly a CD you will wish to have, and will enjoy for a long time.

Note: There was a mess-up in the pressing, and track five is messed up, but you can send the CD into WB, and they will replace it.

www.luciamicarelli.com

I am a huge collector of classical violin and cello solo CD's. I saw this and heard only about 30 second sample and picked it right up. All I can say is WOW.

She has the passion, and heart of someone much older, who's been playing for decades. What a remarkable talent. I was amazed to hear her stiring rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Her violin does the voices in Bohemian Rhapsody with a piano, guitar, bass guitar, and drums doing the rest of the sounds. The piano is a real compliment to most violin pieces.

She also does great renditions of songs by David Bowie, Richard Rogers, classical composers Sibelius, Ravel, Massenet. She also does a good rendition of My Funny Valentine.

This is a definate must buy for all classical lovers. This would also be a great CD's for people who enjoy David Bowie, and Richard Rogers.

Lang Lang, an incredible piano player, helps out on several tracks on this incredible CD.

She's an incredible talent who should be getting bookings on Letterman, and Leno.

My niece took me to the Josh Groban concert last spring. While I enjoyed Josh's music, the concert master, Lucia Micarelli stole the show.

A barefoot wisp of a girl in a simple flowing gown, she glided across the stage with her violin...beautiful music. Very talented. She moved like a ballerina and played like an angel. They announced at the concert that she would have her first CD coming out this summer. I knew I had to get that CD and I preordered. I love it. She pours heart and soul into her music. Right now, and for some time to come, this is my favorite CD.

This is an excellent record. As a professional classical string quartet player--I have to say that it is truly refreshing to hear a classical crossover artist with the passion, techincal brilliance, and musical sophistication of Lucia Micarelli. Lucia is a very rare talent-I have thouroughly enjoyed her performances both on the Josh Groban "Closer" tour-and as a classical soloist. She is definately one of the great violinists of her generation--and Music from a Farther Room-is a terrific listen both for a classical and pop audience...Bravo
Dave Eggar, cellist FLUX QUARTET (fluxquartet.com)

Lucia Micarelli, as you may already know, made her debut as the concertmaster for Josh Groban's last tour. Her breathtaking musicianship moved many an audience to their feet, and I'm sure, led many concertgoers to their local music store looking for anything performed by Micarelli. And with "Music From a Farther Room" that wish has finally been granted. To say this album is a beautiful one is a vast understatement, as is to say that Micarelli is quite the gifted violinist. There are few that express themselves so effortlessly and passionately with their instrument--one reviewer noted that listening to Micarelli play with Josh Groban sounded like a duet, with her violin's voice singing as passionately as his. "Music From a Farther Room" showcases her abilities as an artist with a repertoire that ranges from classical pieces to the old favorite, "My Funny Valentine." Groban fans will be undoubtedly delighted to hear the bonus track, "Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody" which Micarelli played on his tour. This is definitely an excellent album to add to your collection.

I was browsing in my local bookstore while this cd was playing- I had to ask a sales rep what it was. They pointed me to the cd, which I knew I had to buy. I find the violin to be the most versatile and beautiful instrument, and Lucia plays it quite well. The music she performs covers a wide range- from a very classical sound to...well...David Bowie- it's all here. I highly recommend this cd both to people who can appreciate skill in playing a violin and to people who simply want a beautiful, laid back (and reasonably long) passage of music.

I knew without hearing this that it was going to be a masterpiece. My heart truly heard it before my ears.
Lucia Micarelli is an enchanting violinist. I attended a Josh Groban concert last March, and was totally blown away by the beautiful, sensual barefoot violinist who could play her ass off! If anyone could steal a show from the phenomenal Josh, it would be Lucia. When I went to see my second Josh show in August, not only was I ecstatic to be seeing Josh again, but Lucia too.
I was thrilled when the piece she played in concert, 'Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody', was included on the CD. That alone is worth the price, but the rest of the album is incredible as well. One of my other favorites is 'My Funny Valentine'.
Lucia's violin playing is absolutely incredible, especially when compared to the more famous violinist Joshua Bell. I greatly prefer Lucia's version of 'Mi Mancherai' with Josh Groban than the Joshua Bell version. I can hear so much more passion and beauty in Lucia's playing than his. I've never heard anything else by Joshua Bell, so just one song may not be enough to prove that Lucia's a better violinist, but I just wanted to throw that thought out.
I strongly urge you to buy this album and let your heart and mind soar with Lucia's incredible playing. You won't regret it, and I hope you love this masterpiece as much as I do.

The title says it all. This is beautiful music played (and arranged) with passion. The sheer lushness of the sound is so different than 99.99% of the "popular" music that spills out of elevators, malls and cars. There is a strain of a modern beat that seems to segue into many of the pieces creating what I guess can be called "crossover music" (I hate that term).

The arrangements are sensations and the violin has a mellow, singing sound. For most released CDs, the norm is one or two oustanding tracks yet here it seems that every single selection is a winner. I was taken with Piazzolla's Tango ("Oblivion") as well as the lonely exoticism of many works - "Samarkaland", "Reflexio" and "She is Like the Swallow" with the unique voice of Leigh Nash. Whoever thought of adding "My Funny Valentine" to this collection should be given a raise - sheer perfection. This is music for contemplation and I would dare say, solitude. Music of this caliber requires a more intensive ear and seems to become muddled in a crowd. I look forward to the next album.