Customer Reviews

Orinoco Flow: Enya for Orchestra

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Charles Syre did an exquisite task in orchestrating Enya's masterpieces. Although not all songs sound as good as the origianl (like Watermark), some like Orinoco Flow have a stronger essence to it. This is an excellent CD for all classical music lovers and Enya lovers. It is very soothing and relaxing.

It was only a matter of time before the beauty of Enya's music would find it's way to full orchestral presentation. This album fully develops Enya's music into soothing and inspirational renditions that match classical music. With the exception of cut #10 (a poor choice to include in an album of quality music), you can sit back and become lost in the content. The themes are beautifully presented with softness and enthusiasm. Each song is as expressive in orchestra form, as if Enya sang each one. If you enjoy Enya, you will truly appreciate this album.

These orchestrations of Enya's music fully capture her power, beauty, and spirit. You'll hear some of your favorite songs of hers redone in a fashion that you will enjoy as much as the original. It makes for great background music, or in the forefront. I was impressed with every track :-)

I've been a fan of Enya's music for the past few years, and it wasn't until seeing a copy of this in a music shop that I noticed that it existed. Needless to say, I enjoy what's been applied here. I like what Charles Sayre and The Taliesin Orchestra have done here. They've added an orchestral flavor to Enya's already-otherworldly and ethereal music. Some purists may be frustrated with some slightly different arrangements to some of the songs (e.g. "The Memory of Trees," "Lothlórien" etc), but you already have the originals on the albums, so what's the use of complaining? You can always go back to those. This here is just something a little different and adventurous. Besides that, this music is ethereal, melodic, wispy and gallantly gorgeous in it's own right. If you're openminded and adventurous, you just may enjoy what's on here. However, if you despise classical/orchestral music in general, as well as some slight tampering with originated formulas, then this may turn you off.

Charles Sayre does a terrific job of composing the Taliesin Orchestra and giving the music a flowing and rhythmatic feel. The emotions from this album overwhelm you. Buy it today!!!

I'm a big fan of Enya. Her voice is simply mesmerizing... Taliesin Orchestra has done a wonderful job playing her compositions in a "classical" style. I would highly recommend that you first hear most [if not all] of the original songs to fully enjoy this work, even though you can't but like it if you haven't done so! Very good a collection for Enya fans. Classical music lovers will also find it worth listening to.

I don't know why Amazon.com has moved so many of my early product reviews (especially those of Enya's albums) into the anonymous file ("a music fan"). Here is a repost, and slight revision, of my original review.

Serendipity strikes again...that quality of finding something wonderful that one isn't looking for. This debut album by the Taliesin Orchestra is one of serendipity's more powerful lightning bolts in my life. Much closer (IMO) to the spirit of the original artist's work than TO's follow-up treatment of George Winston's music, this CD takes the heart of Enya's music, plants it as a seed in new soil, and nurtures it into a bloom worthy to stand in Enya's own tea garden. "Lothlorian", the title track, "The Celts", "Bardic Dance" -- all of these sparkle like stars painted in the sky...(pardon my numerous puns!)

There is only one thing I really dislike about this recording: its treatment of the incomparable "The Memory of Trees". Every note and every chord Enya puts into her arrangement is necessary to the whole; take out even a little of what she put in, and the whole song is denatured. In TO's arrangment, the musical climax at the end of the original song is missing (why?), and with it the sense of holy awe the song is meant to evoke. Had the arranger stuck strictly to the melodic and harmonic structure of the original song, his soaring strings could've melted us the listeners right down into our socks. As it is, the arrangement succeeds despite itself, because the starting material is so strong.

Rare is the arranger who understands that orchestrating popular/rock music is more than putting a trap/drum set behind the orchesta and giving the violins the melody. Here, the Taliesin Orchestra has done the rare, capturing Enya in a wintery mood, from the sweeping granduer of "Memory of Trees" to the delicate oboe and violin arrangement of "China Roses."

I'm from a eastern country,and happened to listen to Enya's songs.Her voice is so magic, I couldn't stop buying her albums.She's the most pure singer I have ever seen!

I bought this in Ohio. My favorite ones are:

#1. Orinoco Flow
#3. The Memory of Trees
#7. Book of Days
#9. Watermark
#10. Bard Dance
#11. The Celts (WAY better than the original one)

:)