Customer Reviews

Varekai

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am a little disappointed with the some of the reviews posted here. I have been truly pleased with this album. Sure it doesn't replace the show experience. But not even the DVD can replicate a Cirque expereince.

I think people were expecting to re-live the Varekai experience through this CD. But most don't realize that this is Cirque Du Soleil we're talking about. Always striving to push the boudaries of artistic expresstion and sound. This CD easily takes listeners to the next level of thought. Trying to extrapolate a concrete definate meaning out of music like this is like trying to explain what art is. It just can't be done.

I enjoyed this album and will continue to wait and see what Cirque has in store for this unique and enchanting show.

With Varekai, Cirque du Soleil's newest production, Violaine Corradai has conjured a mesmerizing blend of world influences and CdS traditions. Most of the tracks open with a haunting, echoing voiceover in Spanish, French and English, and the delicate strains of a music box, although it becomes too repetitive after multiple listens.

"Rain One" is a delicate, fragile flower that opens under a midnight shower, with rain sound effects, snare brushes, and fleeting, breathy vocals ("the silence of the sound, and the colour of the night...") with an operatic interlude.

"Le rêveur" ("The dreamer") opens with a haunting Middle Eastern modulating duet (both male and female) that bring to mind the Hearts of Space group Rasa and Indian sacred chants.

"Vocea" is a throwback to the CdS soundtrack to "Dralion," and sounds like it was written for "Dralion" countertenor Erik Karol in parts. It is one of the darker sounding songs, very wistful, the language sounding almost Russian, with a chanting choir near the end.

"Moon Light" is a gorgeous slow rolling waltz, with a Middle-Eastern sounding string backing and snare brushes and Indian-influenced modulating vocals mixed with the sound of the Portuguese fado.

"Patxivota" picks up the intro from "Rain One" and morphs into a dramatic choir that sounds like the theme from "Myst: Exile," with the ghostly whispers of a child dancing inbetween the sweep of the snare drums and the music box.

"El péndulo" yet again draws on the voiceover ("I walk the earth, I touch the skies, I am the angel in your eyes") and expands on the gorgeous, Cheb Mami-like musings.

"Gitans" features the fantastic talents of the Roma (Gypsy) musicians Taraf de Haidouks, along with a very Amélie-like accordion waltz accompanied by chirping birds.

"Kèro Hiréyo" is a duet with marked percussion and an almost African feel.

"Lubia Dobarstan" opens with a flamboyant declaration in Spanish of the tale of a wanderer and Latin rhythm and guitars.

"Emballa" is another African/Brazilian influenced choir piece with a male soloist.

"Oscillum" is a high energy, edgy piece that showcases virtuostic violin solos and mysterious whispered vocals.

"Funambul" is easily the most haunting song on the album. A beautiful female vocalist harmonizes and a mixed choir provides a backdrop, along with the ever-present voiceover and children whispering.

"Resolution" is an absolutely chaotic, delightful blend of Gypsy instruments, a very eccentric, happy little song that really feels like a resolution.

Please note that I HAVE NOT seen Varekai: my only experience has been through a number of fan websites and Bravo TV's "Cirque du Soleil: The Fire Within" which provides a behind-the-scenes look at some of the talented trapeze artists, dancers and gymnasts in Varekai. Selections from Varekai are played as a soundtrack to the series, so I can't comment on how this Varekai-inspired album compares to the actual music in the show (I would love to hear the Tuvan throat singing done live!). I would love to see a live Varekai album as was done with CdS's Mystère, and if enough fans are unhappy with this disc, it is likely that the actual music from the show will be released.

I give Varekai five stars based on the creativity of blending various ethnic influences (Gypsy, African, Indian, Brazilian/Latin) with modern effects, stunning vocals, and intriguing soundscapes. Varekai is my favourite CdS soundtrack to date, and I hear new nuances with every listen.

BE warned folks, this CD is NOT, repeat NOT the music you will hear when you go to see Varekai.
Varekai has some of the best Cirque music ever done but this CD is nothing more than inspired by suites that have little to do with what is performed in the show. This would not be so bad if the music was still good but it isn't, I found myself tuning out as early as the first track and was furious when very little of the music on this CD reminded me of the simply amazing music from this show.
I even complained to the Cirque folks and they inded verified that it wasn't the score from the actual show but they were "Considering" doing a score of the show. In quotes below is their actual reply to me.
"Thank you for your interest in the Cirque du Soleil!! I understand your disapointement with the soundtrack. It is actually selection from the music of the show but re-arranged by Nitin Sawhney. Maybe this was not made clear at the time of the purchase. We are currently in the process of reevaluting the need for a score of the show. Keep posted, we might have one soon I hope!"
Well if you are like me and want the score you buy to remind you of the show you just experienced then ...
I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS CD!

I walked out of the tent yesterday in NYC , thrilled at just seeing Varekai. This was the sixth Cirque show I have seen & I loved it. I knew from reading these reviews that this CD was not going to include all the music from the show, but I had to buy it anyway on my way out. After listening to it, I must admit I was disappointed that the energy of this amazing show along with most songs are missing. I was prepared for this and the disappointment is temporary, but am hopeful that a "Live'" version will eventually be released as was for Mystere.

The other reviewers go into detail about these songs, so I won't . I will just say that it is a really good CD nonetheless, so add it to your collection for reasons mentioned by the other Cirque fans. By the way, song #7 - Gitans is from the show and if you close your eyes, you will be transported back to the tent and feel that wonderful feeling that only Cirque du Soleil can give you!

This cd is from Cique Du Soleils latest production, Varekai. The show starts when Icarus, the legendary greek hero, flies too close the sun and melts his wings. The show then precedes to Icarus regaining his strength to walk, and falling in love. This soundtrack is one of the best from Cirque Du Soleil. Even though some of the songs have been modified from the originals in the show, it is still amazing. I highly recomend buying the CD if you are a cirque fan. The best songs on the CD are Rain, Gitans, Vocea, and Oscillum.

I LOVE Cirque du Soleil. It has to be one of the most, if not the most, mystifying, creative, beautiful works that has ever been made. The actual shows are one of a kind and the music only furthers the intense beauty. All of the Cirque shows are unique, but Varekai is one of the best, in my opinion, from what i can tell. I plan to see the show soon and I listen to my Varekai Cd everyday. The 1st song, Rain One, is nothing but gorgeous. Other good tracks are 4 & 5 but they are all lovely. Varekai has to be one of the best Cds I have ever heard in my life. I HIGHLY suggest it...if you have an open mind.

I just love to listen Mysterious-Enigmatic-Beautiful music, and simply I just cannot live without listening to Cirque du Soleil music, and I can tell you that I never, ever get tired of listening to their music - or watching their shows as they really are just incredible always. As for this Varekai, it gave me something really new feelings and way of thinking of ewhat is the Mysterious and Enigmatic and Beautiful music for mef. I also do listen to a lot of Mysterious-Enigmatic-Beautiful music such as Enigma, Diane Arkenstone, Balligomingo, Paul Schwartz Project, Taliesin Orchestra and many many more, but this Varekai is 200% one of my favorite CDs. I7m sorry for my bad English, but as for being a guy who doenft speak English well it was so hard to make this sentencesc But try to check my wish list : > Ifm sure youfll like it if you like Cirque du Soleil music : > I really recommend this CD!!

As many reviewers have stated, this soundtrack is different than the live musical score. It is supposed to be. Cirque and Violaine Corradi decided to take a different approach than usual and created an album of songs perfect for the World Music genre. At first, I too was dissapointed because I had seen Varekai live several times and knew the music well. But when I blocked out the live show score in my mind and listened to the CD for what it is, I can't quit listening to it. Singer, Zara Tellander, is simply amazing.

Cirque du Soleil's super-crosscultural mix of Arabic, gypsy, classical, modern pop and ambient electronic music will come as a welcome treat for folks who enjoy baroque, ornate "world fusion" efforts by the likes of Jai Uttal or Dead Can Dance... Violaine Corradi composed the music, along with a slew of guest performers and collaborators, ranging from gypsy traditionalists Taraf de Haidouks, Natacha Atlas and '60s space-folkie Terry Callier. May be a bit much for the more traditionally-minded world music fans, but others will find it well-crafted and emotionally powerful.

I would have to agree with the others that this is by far the best soundtrack that Cirque has come out with. The music in the show of course has to be kept to a minimum, compared to the CD, because remember your focus has to be kept on the visuals and the performers have to be in deep concentration. From previous soundtracks this CD does not sound like a soundtrack at all.. it's more like a eclectic mix of music that can be listened to anywhere... or wherever as the title of the show is called. The show is fenommenal and a must see if the tour ever reaches your town. The CD is a totally new experience that drives your imagination to new boundaries