Live at the Acropolis [Live]

Yanni

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 1994)
• Original Release Date: September 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Private Music
• ASIN: B0000000LI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #55,959 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Yanni can be likened to 1970s rock group Emerson, Lake and Palmer. There are several basic parallels, especially in this orchestra-enhanced concert reworking of his more propulsive, anthemic compositions. Yanni, who in concert sometimes strikes the rapturous two-keyboard "iron-cross" pose that served as one of Keith Emerson's trademarks, uses, as ELP did, classical and world-music influences to elevate pop-inclined compositions to more sophisticated levels. He then turbocharges the whole concoction with bold strokes of prog-rock bravura to give his finest pieces a dramatic, chest-swelling, larger-than-life impact. A key difference between the two acts, of course, is Yanni possesses a much stronger romantic streak, plus he refrains from attacking his keyboards with sharp objects. At his best, Yanni strikes incendiary sparks with the driving, celebratory quality of his music, and this production, culling some of the best audio moments from his much-televised 1993 concert performance in Athens, is a most appealing showcase. Yanni can sometimes strike the sonic hammer as forcefully as a Greek god ("Santorini," "Keys to Imagination") and, on this album at least, gives even overtly romantic pieces ("One Man's Dream," "Swept Away") a warmly masculine flair. Beautifully arranged and recorded; a pleasure to experience. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REFLECT ON THE PASSION OF ONE ASTOUNDING MAN'S DREAM!, June 18, 2000

By	Soaring Heart - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

If I had to pick 10 CD's that were the very essence of passion this would be one of the top picks!

I saw Yanni first playing live on TV as I was "channel surfing" and I was frozen in my seat, completely entralled by his passion and originality. I went straight out the next day and bought this CD. Rarely does any music reach out and Grab my heart the way Yanni does; oh if everything were as romantic and passionate as his music!

My personal favorites are: 1 ONE MAN'S DREAM 2 REFLECTIONS OF PASSION 3 UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT 4 NOSTALGIA and 5 THE RAIN MUST FALL.

Whether you are a hopeless romantic, or a firey aggressive person this is the music for you!

I whole-heartedly recommend Yanni's music for the entire world! There is so much beauty. No words are needed.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yanni at his best, September 14, 2005

By	Constantinos V. "Constantinos V." (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Inspiring. He has the backing of a great philarmonic orchestra and two virtuosos on the violin. Track number 7 is great, the two violin players it is as if they have a competition who will play faster. And the last one (reflections of passion) is propably one of the best songs he has ever composed. it was my wedding song. If you are planning to visit Greece get this cd and take it with you. you will be able to understand Yanni's music even more.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Crafted Record, or The Audience Plays the Part of Ostinato, August 15, 2005

By	Christopher "chrysaetoscopia" (Wengen-en-esprit) - See all my reviews

I never thought my love for music would extend to Yanni. I purchased this album back in high school (10 years ago or so), covertly, and without mentioning it to my friends. Sure enough, it was a beautiful record but I didn't appreciate it for what it was.

Now, as I've found my part of the world to be a raucous, traffic-ingested sort, I can find peace in Yanni's Live at the Acropolis. Even his most invigorating tunes are like listening to a combination of classical music and the better of Hollywood scores...but his music is still a genre on its own.

The piano is beautifully played, my favorite instrument to listen to (with accompaniment); the orchestra is molded perfectly to his music and the very subtle keyboard effects (e.g. haunting ambient choirs in "Until the Last Moment" or string pizzicato in "Standing in Motion") work wonders to add atmosphere. I actually don't know Yanni's other music, so I don't know if he uses orchestras otherwise, but credit must go to his three orchestrators, Shardad Rohani, Jeffrey Silverman, and John Rinehimer for exceptional work.

This record is so meticulously handled, it blows me away. The Acropolis's ambience is preserved; the audience's applause sounds like rain, as it would if you were watching a tasteful theatrical presentation. They did well to remove loud whistles (which can be heard only if the listener is trying) and other distractions. The applause after certain solos is gently brought into the piece keeping that "live" feeling throughout.

The on-site recording and engineering is top-notch, and Yanni himself mixed the final product, keeping the levels respectable. For example, when Yanni talks (which is rare), his voice sounds like an instrument and is subdued, quiet like the soothing voice in a planetarium, and does not jar the listener from the flow of the music.

The shimmering percussion ranges from heart-thumping drums that reverberate through your speakers to light windchimes and hi-hat brush-strokes that are not drowned out by vibrato strings or pulsating rock basses. Every instrument has its place, and every instrument is heard. Exceptional mastering on Chris Bellman's part as well.

The record is atmospheric. I have a difficult time describing it as anything else. The "live" part could have become a hindrance to the music, but it is handled so well, I hope it doesn't become a deterrent to possible purchasers; the album is a wonder to listen to.