Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathless, poignant, and edgy, February 15, 2001
By A Customer
This is my favorite "modern classical" album. I was reeled in by the wonderful first movement of Palladio (the famous De Beers "Diamond Music"), and then I fell in love with the entire work. In places it's breathless (the pace and phrasing are so fast); in others, poignant (you can hear bittersweet emotion); and in others, edgy (the strings are anything but smooth and sweet in spots, adding delightful texture to the work). When I was pregnant with my first child, I would sit in the quiet of the evening with my cup of tea, and she would roll gently to this lovely music. I instantly recall those happy expectant days when I hear this album. Jenkins is a versatile artist--so much so that he doesn't combine genres. Some artists might "cross over" from jazz to classical (or vice versa), and you can hear it in their compositions. Not so with Jenkins. I think that is the mark of genius in an artist.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Diamond music shines with brilliance, August 13, 2001
This cd proves that Karl Jenkins is truly capable of composing memorable and emotional music. Honestly, my favorite piece is the music from the diamond commercial, which is played wonderfully of string instruments. The other songs are also unique and grand, but they lack some of the emotion present in the tune that first appeared on tv in the diamond commerical. Nevertheless, this is a great cd to play at any time of day.
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19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beyond the Diamonds, August 31, 2003
This CD contains the music from the "A Diamond Is Forever" TV commercial ads common in the mid 1990's, also known as the "Shadow" commercials.
"Palladio," a three-movement concerto grosso a-la Handel, was inspired by the sixteenth-century architect Andrea Palladio, and musically personifies Palladio's hallmarks of mathematical harmony and order. Throughout the piece (especially the first movement, "Allegretto") can be heard various themes used in the popular De Beers ads.
The "Adiemus Variations" are a reworking of Jenkins' own piece, Adiemus, from "Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary." The piece is in four movements, or variations, exploring different moods from the original music.
The "Passacaglia" was written in memory of Karl's aunt, Evelyn Mary Hopkins, as a slow requiem dance with a repeating ground theme.
The String Quartet No. 2 is a study in styles. "The Fifth Season" is a baroque movement in the style of Antonio Vivaldi. The remaining four movements, "Tango," "Waltz," "Romance" and "Bits," explore various themes using non-conventional styles and rhythms. The piece is a good fusion of baroque, romantic, jazz and neo-classical forms.
Diamond Music has a depth about it that causes the listener to become one with the music and embark on a musical journey to places rarely explored. Karl Jenkins is a kind of modern Mozart in his depth of composition and the feelings he imbues into his music that attract the listener like an exquisite perfume.
If you're looking for a truly sonic experience, "Diamond Music" will satisy your musical appetite.
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