World Sinfonia

Al Di Meola | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 13, 1991)
• Original Release Date: August 12, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000034CH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,530 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Perpetual Emotion

2. Orient Blue

3. Tango Suite, Pt. 1

4. Tango Suite, Pt. 3

5. Falling Grace

6. Last Tango for Astor

7. No Mystery

8. Lustrine

9. Little Cathedral

10. La Cathedral

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique ensemble of talent, perfection, and passion., October 26, 2000

By 

Edy Gibert (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: World Sinfonia (Audio CD)

"World Sinfonia", is the first album from Dimeola's acoustic fusion ensemble of different rhythms that combine Latin, African, Tango with Middle Eastern scales and jazz harmonies. The project initiates a new phase in Dimeola's versatile and rich musical career. World Sinfonia is a major departure from the "Al Dimeola Project" and from any solo, duet, or trio efforts he has done in the past. DiMeola teams up with Dino Saluzzi (bandoneon), Arto Tuncboyaci (percussion & voice), Gumbi Ortiz (congas & percussion), and Chris Carrington (classical guitar). The project begins the tribute to Astor Piazzola, the Argentine tango revolutionary and bandoneon master, that will continue in the next two "World Sinfonia" CDs ("Heart of the Immigrants" and "The Grande Passion"). At this time, the Piazzola homage consists of only 3 themes. The first a composition from Dimeola called "Last Tango For Astor", and the other two are covers from Piazzola's main repertoire: "Tango Suite part II" and Tango Suite part III". These two themes are spectacular and the arrangements are very close to Piazzola's ambience and rhythm. As for Dimeola's composition, I have no doubt that Piazzola would have enjoyed very much playing it with Dimeola if he were alive. Other highlights of the album are "Perpetual Change", composed by Dimeola and Lustrine composed by Dino Saluzzi. Both are emotional and moving and a guitar class of technique and scale playing to all modern players. The album also includes a remake of "No Mystery", that is the title of a "Return To Forever" album that won a Grammy back in 1975. The theme has a modern tango ("milonga") flavour on the surface as a result of the use of the bandoneon, but the rhythm and harmonies are free and jazzy because of the percussion used and the chosen guitar scales and style playing. The theme changes into a rhythm of Latin, African, Eastern and Spanish influences. Somehow, this composition summarises a great part of the mood and the ambience of this project. The last two tracks (a Dimeola/Agustin Barrios) offer a calm and melodic finale that initially moves closer to classic guitar playing but with a great melancholic expression a result of the use of the bandoneon. However, the ambience is never sad, because Dimeola lifts up the rhythm and spirit as he moves quickly in and out of the scales with great joy. World Sinfonia is a unique musical experience offered by musicians that continually grow with every project they pursue. I sincerely hope that you decide to share this new music proposal.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Beautiful, November 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: World Sinfonia (Audio CD)

Accompanied by Dino Saluzzi on bandoneon, Chris Carrington on classical guitar, and Gumbi Ortiz with percussion, Al DiMeola delivers some of the most brilliant acoustic work ever. Here you will not find flashy compositions like those from 5DEC80 in San Francisco, instead you will get beautiful works of art which speak to your soul. World Sinfonia is definitely a 'BUY' and you won't realize it until after hearing it for the first time you see that you haven't moved since the moment you pressed play on your stereo.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Stunner From Al, April 22, 2000

By 

Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: World Sinfonia (Audio CD)

Just when you start to wonder what more Al DiMeola can accomplish musically, he stuns you with yet another winner. DiMeola has proven himself over the years to be possessed of that rare versatility that will enshrine him in the pantheon of all-time jazz greats. Yet there is so much more to him than mere "jazz". I first heard World Sinfonia while visiting a friend in Mexico City and just couldn't wait to get my own copy. This is probably the most ambitious of DiMeola's many projects. I like it from start to finish. The album starts out mellow then segues into "Tango Suite" featuring the sounds of the bandoneon. If you've never heard this instrument before, then you are in for a treat. It is the mainstay of tango and is extremely difficult to learn proficiently. Astor Piazzolla, the Argentine tango master, mentored DiMeola in the intricacies of the genre and the grateful DiMeola penned the beautiful "Last Tango For Astor" in tribute to his dying idol. My favorite cuts on this CD are the last ones. Lustrine features twelve minutes of blazing guitar, polytonal rhythms and some blistering bandoneon work by the Argentine Dino Saluzzi. This is backed by the middle-eastern flavored percussion of Turkish drummer Arto Tuncboyacan. World Sinfonia finishes with the classically flavored La Cathedral, an acoustical number which will have you hitting the repeat button half the day. This album deserves the highest recommendation but is not for those who are not open to musical innovation.