Orchestralli

Stewart Copeland | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 14, 2005)
• Label: Ponderosa Italy
• ASIN: B00077830K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #488,561 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Stewart's 2004 orchestra presented on CD and the DVD live in Italy. Ponde. 2004. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orchestralli is a must..., September 7, 2006

By 

Nicole N. Pellegrini "sockii" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Orchestralli (Audio CD)

As a long-time fan of Stewart Copeland's work - both in The Police and as a soundtrack composer - this is the cd release I recommend to all who might be curious to check out his post-Police work, at least in an overview.

Recorded on his "Orchestralli" tour of Italy, it features 8 tracks that cover a wide range of his compositional work, performed by a tight ensemble of musicians and none other than Copeland himself on the drums. Just hearing Stewart dig into playing on these tracks is a joy in itself for fans, many of us who miss hearing him do so more often these days. Also featured on these tracks are "Ensemble Bash", a terrific group of percussionists, as well as wind, brass, and string instruments.

These are complex pieces of music that greatly reward mutliple listenings and an audience willing to sink into them. Two of my favorite pieces are "Eve" and "Grace," which Stewart notes on the album are dedicated to his children. They are appropriately full of a sense of delight, whimsy, and love and always make me smile as I listen to them. "The Gene Pool" is a furious percussive piece commissioned by Ensemble Bash in 1994 that lets them show off their rhythmic skills impressively. "Baboon Tribe" and "Birds of Prey" are two pieces from his 1994 ballet Prey, the latter track earning Stewart a Grammy Nomination. "Stalin's Sultry Serenade," originally composed for full orchestra, is a seductive and complex piece driven home beautifully by Stewart's work on the drums. The final two tracks showcase some of his earliest soundtrack work: "Our Mother is Alive" from Rumble Fish, and the theme song from "The Equalizer," which is tremendous fun to hear performed with live musicians.

Also included in this release is a companion DVD, about 40 minutes in length. It features some nice behind-the-scenes footage of the musicians in rehearsal as well as interview clips with Stewart and some live concert footage. My only complaint about the dvd is that it features none of the performance pieces in full, only partial clips. Still, it's a minor complaint about an otherwise excellent release. Copeland fans, don't miss adding this one to your collection!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The fusion of many talents of an extraordinary musician, November 8, 2007

By 

E. Woontner "eiw" (Fairfax, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Orchestralli (Audio CD)

I know that now that the Police have regrouped at least for a while, many will have suddenly remembered what a great gift for modern music Stewart Copeland has been since the late 70s. But he is not just the powerhouse behind the Police: In this reissue, completed by an arresting performance caught on video of his orchestral themes, plus his charming quips in short interviews, you will be even more convinced that this multitalented musician will always be a godsend for the lack of inspiration of the current music scene. Never heard such original, intricate musical textures. He also, uncharacteristically, advises young musicians to go look in the most diverse places to find new ideas and combinations of musical patterns, not to keep mimicking their idols.
A resounding "bravo" also to the Italian orchestra that executes the pieces brilliantly and seems to fit like a glove to the Maestro's commanding polyrythmia.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bonus DVD included!, January 30, 2010

By 

Laura L. Townsend "LTWoman" (reverse world) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Orchestralli (Audio CD)

The bonus DVD with extras and interviews made this an even better buy! I was very excited to have them both.! A must for a Stewart Copeland fan (who probably already has it).