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Track Listings
| 1. A Thousand Years | |||
| 2. Every Little Thing She Does is Magic | |||
| 3. Englishman in New York | |||
| 4. Roxanne | |||
| 5. When We Dance | |||
| 6. Russians | |||
| 7. I Hung My Head | |||
| 8. Why Should I Cry For You? | |||
| 9. Whenever I Say Your Name (*) | |||
| 10. This Cowboy Song | |||
| 11. Tomorrow We'll See | |||
| 12. Moon Over Bourbon Street | |||
| 13. The End of the Game | |||
| 14. You Will Be My Ain True Love | |||
| 15. All Would Envy 16. Mad About You | |||
| 16. King of Pain | |||
| 17. Every Breath You Take | |||
| 18. Desert Rose | |||
| 19. She's Too Good For Me | |||
| 20. Fragile | |||
See all 21 tracks on this disc
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"If you have the chance to hear Sting's greatest hits performed with a symphony orchestra, it is one that you don't want to miss." -- Diena (Tallinn)
"Pairing Sting with the orchestra is brilliant synchronicity on multiple levels. He's a consummate showman and a willful storyteller." -- The Denver Post
"Sting proves that he is one of the greatest living musicians." -- Die Welt (Berlin)
"The real stars of the show were the arrangements: classical twists on classic hits that make Symphonicity a must-see." -- Globe and Mail (Toronto)
"This is one of the must-see concerts of the year." -- The New York Post
"Pairing Sting with the orchestra is brilliant synchronicity on multiple levels. He's a consummate showman and a willful storyteller." -- The Denver Post
"Sting proves that he is one of the greatest living musicians." -- Die Welt (Berlin)
"The real stars of the show were the arrangements: classical twists on classic hits that make Symphonicity a must-see." -- Globe and Mail (Toronto)
"This is one of the must-see concerts of the year." -- The New York Post
Product Description
Deluxe CD/DVD Edition. 2010 live album from the former Police man and solo superstar. Culled from Sting's critically acclaimed world tour, Symphonicity, this live CD/DVD compilation features many of his greatest hits, including "Roxanne," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," "King Of Pain," "Fields Of Gold," and more, all re-imagined for symphonic arrangement. Featuring special guest Branford Marsalis on select tracks, this live concert experience is quintessential Symphonicity! Recorded September 21 at the O2 Arena, Live in Berlin captures Sting, for the first time, on the acclaimed Symphonicity world tour, which has garnered rave reviews from sold-out performances in prestigious venues such as Red Rocks in Denver, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, London's Royal Albert Hall, among others.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By D. Dunn
Format:Audio CD
When Sting originally announced that he was going to tour with a full fifty piece orchestra and perform his best known songs I was a little sceptical. How could that possibly work? Well, five months in, it is apparent just how wrong I was to harbour any doubts. The 'Symphonicity' shows have been spectacular successes since the tour launched in Vancouver earlier this year and have since garnered glowing accolades in the media. When I attended several of the shows, I was totally blown away by the whole experience and quickly realised how short-sighted my initial scepticism had been.
'Live in Berlin' is produced by Jim Gable and Ann Kim who have been responsible for previous Sting releases such as 'A Winter's Night... Live from Durham Cathedral', 'The Journey and the Labyrinth', 'Inside The Songs of Sacred Love', and '...All This Time' as well as 'The Police: Certifiable'. They have successfully captured the feel of the 'Symphonicity' concerts and while there are obvious limitations to the presentation of a show of this size given the sheer number of musicians on stage, the clever use of three large light boxes above the stage - which occasionally provide live and video footage - light the show superbly and provide subtle, tasteful lighting throughout the concert. The DVD also includes Sting's spoken introductions to several songs, where he explains the inspiration behind a song or offers some other biographical background, and while this would be distracting in a faster paced rock concert, here it works well.
The highlights are numerous. Take for example, the unmistakable sound of special guest Branford Marsalis who adds his saxophone to 'Englishman in New York', 'Mad About You' and 'Desert Rose'. The word genius could have been coined for Marsalis who adds class to everything he touches, but the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra also has their stars. 'All Would Envy' spotlights Chris Cotter's stellar trumpet playing, and Concertmaster Gerald Gregory's violin introduction to 'Whenever I Say Your Name' is so exquisite it sends tingles down your spine.
Sting's core group, consisting of Ira Coleman (bass), David Cossin and Rhani Krija (percussion), the ever present Dominic Miller (guitar) and Jo Lawry (vocals), are outstanding, but it's worth singling out the talent that is Jo Lawry. Two tracks in particular showcase her superbly and both are duets with Sting. On 'Whenever I Say Your Name' she comfortably fills the part originally provided by the powerful Mary J. Blige - and on 'You Will Be My Ain True Love' the combination of her voice with Sting's provides a sublime result.
The 'Symphonicity' tour offers something for everyone. The hits? Check. The obscure? Check. The never before performed live? Check. Personal high spots have to include 'Why Should I Cry For You?' with its' intro borrowed from 'Island Of Souls', 'All Would Envy', 'The End Of The Game' and 'She's Too Good For Me'. But do you know what? Watch 'Roxanne' and be stunned at how Sting manages to reinterpret and refresh one of his oldest and most classic songs with cello and clarinet solos. Simply breathtaking.
Rounding off the DVD is 'A Conversation with Sting', an interview segment where he explains how the idea for the tour developed, his philosophy that songs are not museum pieces and how he constantly tries to reinvent his music. The footage where he is joined by Branford Marsalis is especially enjoyable - their easy friendship and mutual respect is immediately apparent.
All in all, this is an excellent reminder of a highly memorable tour. In our household it will also serve as a reminder not to jump to conclusions and to keep an open mind!
'Live in Berlin' is produced by Jim Gable and Ann Kim who have been responsible for previous Sting releases such as 'A Winter's Night... Live from Durham Cathedral', 'The Journey and the Labyrinth', 'Inside The Songs of Sacred Love', and '...All This Time' as well as 'The Police: Certifiable'. They have successfully captured the feel of the 'Symphonicity' concerts and while there are obvious limitations to the presentation of a show of this size given the sheer number of musicians on stage, the clever use of three large light boxes above the stage - which occasionally provide live and video footage - light the show superbly and provide subtle, tasteful lighting throughout the concert. The DVD also includes Sting's spoken introductions to several songs, where he explains the inspiration behind a song or offers some other biographical background, and while this would be distracting in a faster paced rock concert, here it works well.
The highlights are numerous. Take for example, the unmistakable sound of special guest Branford Marsalis who adds his saxophone to 'Englishman in New York', 'Mad About You' and 'Desert Rose'. The word genius could have been coined for Marsalis who adds class to everything he touches, but the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra also has their stars. 'All Would Envy' spotlights Chris Cotter's stellar trumpet playing, and Concertmaster Gerald Gregory's violin introduction to 'Whenever I Say Your Name' is so exquisite it sends tingles down your spine.
Sting's core group, consisting of Ira Coleman (bass), David Cossin and Rhani Krija (percussion), the ever present Dominic Miller (guitar) and Jo Lawry (vocals), are outstanding, but it's worth singling out the talent that is Jo Lawry. Two tracks in particular showcase her superbly and both are duets with Sting. On 'Whenever I Say Your Name' she comfortably fills the part originally provided by the powerful Mary J. Blige - and on 'You Will Be My Ain True Love' the combination of her voice with Sting's provides a sublime result.
The 'Symphonicity' tour offers something for everyone. The hits? Check. The obscure? Check. The never before performed live? Check. Personal high spots have to include 'Why Should I Cry For You?' with its' intro borrowed from 'Island Of Souls', 'All Would Envy', 'The End Of The Game' and 'She's Too Good For Me'. But do you know what? Watch 'Roxanne' and be stunned at how Sting manages to reinterpret and refresh one of his oldest and most classic songs with cello and clarinet solos. Simply breathtaking.
Rounding off the DVD is 'A Conversation with Sting', an interview segment where he explains how the idea for the tour developed, his philosophy that songs are not museum pieces and how he constantly tries to reinvent his music. The footage where he is joined by Branford Marsalis is especially enjoyable - their easy friendship and mutual respect is immediately apparent.
All in all, this is an excellent reminder of a highly memorable tour. In our household it will also serve as a reminder not to jump to conclusions and to keep an open mind!
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I started watching this DVD with some skepticism, but I was won over as the concert progressed. By the end I was enthusiastic, and felt it was probably some of Sting's best live work so far.
The first five songs on the DVD appeared to confirm my worst fears. Slow, trudging, seemingly sophisticated but really just tame and domesticated bilge -- that's what I thought. A sexagenarian standing in front of an orchestra delivering smooth and timid rehashings of his old hits. Yawn.
Sting started to win me over with "Russians" -- the only song with the writing credit "Sting and Sergei Prokofiev". The orchestra didn't follow Prokofiev all that closely, but it was the first time in the show that I sat up and thought they were finally doing something interesting with the orchestra.
From there on, the concert seemed to build from strength to strength. The country tunes "I Hung My Head" and "The Cowboy Song" -- the latter complete with line dancing band members -- were lively and engaging. "Whenever I Say Your Name" starts with a terrific violin solo. I started appreciating the rich and sophisticated orchestrations, the nuanced percussion, and the interplay between orchestra and Sting's normal band members.
"Moon Over Bourbon Street" was a real highlight. It received a quirky orchestral workover in a style somewhere between Kurt Weill and Stravinsky -- with Sting taking, to my knowledge, his first theremin solo on stage. There were several creative and original moments like this that made me smile in appreciation and realize that Sting's still got it. Musically speaking, that is -- not just with his tanned, statuesque physique, which I'm sure we are all happy to grant him.
The Middle Eastern-flavored "Desert Rose" was also a major highlight, as was "She's Too Good To Me", a rocker that works out the string section. Unfortunately, Sting left out "Next To You", probably my favorite track from his "Symphonicities" studio album.
For most of the concert Sting is instrument-free. There is the occasional guitar (usually a three-quarter sized strapless affair), harmonicas and incidental instruments, and sometimes he's slapping away at a tambourine on a stand -- but mainly he's just standing there singing. That means he has a lot of room to bring his unique brand of thespianism into his performance. He can be a stilted overactor, but it's still charming and he does it well.
A word about the production. This concert was filmed and recorded on 21 September 2010, and I am writing this review just over two months later. That is pretty impressive turnaround. But as I have experienced before on a few Universal Music DVD/CD combos, there are no subtitles on the DVD. Putting song lyrics in subtitles would not have been expensive, and would have significantly improved the product. A disappointing example of penny pinching.
The DVD run time is 2 hours 4 minutes. The CD comes in at 1 hour 16 minutes, and was presumably also recorded at the Berlin concert, although the liner notes do not give specifics. The CD has three songs that are not on the DVD -- "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You", "Fields of Gold" and "Shape of My Heart".
Despite a few flaws, in the end this is a first-rate concert and highly recommended. If you have the urge to shut it off early on, stick with it a bit. Hopefully you will come around, as I did.
The first five songs on the DVD appeared to confirm my worst fears. Slow, trudging, seemingly sophisticated but really just tame and domesticated bilge -- that's what I thought. A sexagenarian standing in front of an orchestra delivering smooth and timid rehashings of his old hits. Yawn.
Sting started to win me over with "Russians" -- the only song with the writing credit "Sting and Sergei Prokofiev". The orchestra didn't follow Prokofiev all that closely, but it was the first time in the show that I sat up and thought they were finally doing something interesting with the orchestra.
From there on, the concert seemed to build from strength to strength. The country tunes "I Hung My Head" and "The Cowboy Song" -- the latter complete with line dancing band members -- were lively and engaging. "Whenever I Say Your Name" starts with a terrific violin solo. I started appreciating the rich and sophisticated orchestrations, the nuanced percussion, and the interplay between orchestra and Sting's normal band members.
"Moon Over Bourbon Street" was a real highlight. It received a quirky orchestral workover in a style somewhere between Kurt Weill and Stravinsky -- with Sting taking, to my knowledge, his first theremin solo on stage. There were several creative and original moments like this that made me smile in appreciation and realize that Sting's still got it. Musically speaking, that is -- not just with his tanned, statuesque physique, which I'm sure we are all happy to grant him.
The Middle Eastern-flavored "Desert Rose" was also a major highlight, as was "She's Too Good To Me", a rocker that works out the string section. Unfortunately, Sting left out "Next To You", probably my favorite track from his "Symphonicities" studio album.
For most of the concert Sting is instrument-free. There is the occasional guitar (usually a three-quarter sized strapless affair), harmonicas and incidental instruments, and sometimes he's slapping away at a tambourine on a stand -- but mainly he's just standing there singing. That means he has a lot of room to bring his unique brand of thespianism into his performance. He can be a stilted overactor, but it's still charming and he does it well.
A word about the production. This concert was filmed and recorded on 21 September 2010, and I am writing this review just over two months later. That is pretty impressive turnaround. But as I have experienced before on a few Universal Music DVD/CD combos, there are no subtitles on the DVD. Putting song lyrics in subtitles would not have been expensive, and would have significantly improved the product. A disappointing example of penny pinching.
The DVD run time is 2 hours 4 minutes. The CD comes in at 1 hour 16 minutes, and was presumably also recorded at the Berlin concert, although the liner notes do not give specifics. The CD has three songs that are not on the DVD -- "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You", "Fields of Gold" and "Shape of My Heart".
Despite a few flaws, in the end this is a first-rate concert and highly recommended. If you have the urge to shut it off early on, stick with it a bit. Hopefully you will come around, as I did.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Sebylita
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Sting's voice and performance is outstanding, heartfelt, incredibly beautiful. The creativity of how he managed to remake his songs with the multiple sounds behind him from the Royal Philharmonic is simply a work of art, a must have.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Full of sound
Went to this concert so it was a must have for me . Now I will injoy over and over on DVD and
my iPod.
my iPod.
Published 8 days ago by William Frost
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sting Live in Berlin
I chose this rating because the dvd has a slight defect. There is a small pause in the picture and sound about halfway through the program. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Kathryn Trifaro
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sting rules
Absolutely breathtaking concert! Sting definitely still has the chops and the strings are gorgeous. Every Sting fan MUST get this!!!
Published 1 month ago by Wes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excelent
Excelent service.
Quality and pontuality, product arrived on time scheduled.
I recommend and hope to make business again soon.
Good price also.
Quality and pontuality, product arrived on time scheduled.
I recommend and hope to make business again soon.
Good price also.
Published 1 month ago by Andre
4.0 out of 5 stars
Strong Start, Strong Finish
The first six songs out of the gate are simply fantastic. Tracks like "Russians" (which borrows from Prokofiev) suddenly make complete sense. Read more
Published 1 month ago by H. E. Harvey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect
Claro que por supuesto que si lo recomendaría
Esta genial simplemente me encanto
La entrega fue muy buena y rápida
Esta genial simplemente me encanto
La entrega fue muy buena y rápida
Published 1 month ago by MARIA DEL SOCORRO CORTES MARQUINA
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great hits
Great music and songs . I highly recommend it to stings fans to buy it and listen to it .
Published 2 months ago by Kathy m
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sting
We very much enjoy Sting and have several of his concerts. This one was just as good as the others in our library.
Published 3 months ago by C. Hopwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD
I've enjoyed listening to the CD and watching the DVD. It fits in well with my library of Sting albums. Great product.
Published 4 months ago by N. Olsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
sting
OF COURSE I LOVE STING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Everyone that purchases Sting in Berlin will have the feeling of being there with him and the band
Published 4 months ago by Patricia Schlachter
Listmania!
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