KÀ [SOUNDTRACK]

Cirque du Soleil (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 18, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Cirque Du Soleil
• ASIN: B000BC8SMO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,241 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Cirque Tribune Forum (www.cirquetribune.com/features/kacd) - Jeff Tolotti, September 22, 2005

"Most of the music really is the show's music! I'm very happy to have this album in my collection."

Product Description

The soundtrack of the show KÀ is the most ambitious musical project produced by Cirque du Soleil to date. While remaining firmly rooted in Cirque du Soleil musical tradition, the recording features a symphony orchestra and a 40-member choir, as such creating a unique musical universe both epic and lyrical.

The powerful percussion and distinctive sound invites comparisons with classic movie soundtracks creating "a rich soundtrack that lives up to the overarching eye-candy on display", says Variety. To create this sound, KÀ was recorded at the renowned Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in Montreal, where Cirque du Soleil is based. Hollywood veteran Simon Leclerc, the conductor for Star Trek: Voyager and Enterprise and the play Les Misérables, conducted the orchestra in Los Angeles.

Composer René Dupéré has been part of Cirque du Soleil since the very beginning. KÀ is the first work Dupéré has composed for Cirque du Soleil since 1994’s Alegría, the best-selling Cirque du Soleil recording to date. "We pulled out all the stops in the making of this album, and the result is, I believe, a record of the highest quality," says Dupéré. The album KÀ is worthy of the show that Time magazine called "bigger than Vegas."

Both the stage production and the soundtrack called for highly innovative use of musical technology. Says Martin Lord-Ferguson, co-producer of the recording: "Technological innovation, artistic audacity and technical prowess are all features of KÀ that the soundtrack had to reflect."

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cirque du Soleil - Ka, January 23, 2006

By	Mr D. "Artist/Designer/Kibitzer" (Cave Creek, Az United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

If you're in the mood for non descript, extremely pleasant music, the various soundtracks of Cirque du Soleil, always seem to be a good choice. I find that the mellow, easy going, low key, mellow deliveries of Cirque du Soleil to be therapeutic and relaxing. It also serves as excellent background music for reading or writing.

I have, or have heard about eight of the Cirque du Soleil scores, either the CD or from the DVD and when it comes to the music, my latest purchase, Ka is a shinning star in the heavens. Epic sounding in nature, KA has sixteen wonderful varied tracks, including two bonus tracks, running the gamut from exotic tribal sounds, to ethnic melodies, to gorgeous mainstream compositions. The music of KA comes from the show KA, currently in production at the MGM Grand hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

My favorites are "Pageant," a catchy ethnic melody with a syncopated beat and strong orchestral and choir backing the remarkable vocal talents of Elise Velle; "Storm" starts out with a cello introduction segueing into a full choir anthemic sound augmented by violins and strong percussion; "Pursuit" opens with the sound of ancient horns and drums joined by the men's choir the full choir in a frantic up tempo piece that truly lives up to it's title; "Love Dance," Opens with a sad violin joined by the full complement of violins and orchestra in a lovely melodic instrumental with subtle choral backing; "Battlefield," is another song that fits the title, since I can imagine a frenetic battle taking place in my mind. The music has a varied pace but is mostly medium fast sung entirely by the choir while the entire orchestra seemingly participates; "If I could reach your heart," Is a lovely airy ballad, performed by Elise Velle, ably backed by the choir; "We've been waiting so long," is another pretty ballad with a catchy melody but a with different singer - Nitza. Their voices are similar but Nitza's is a little lower.

While the music is obviously in the same realm as previous Cirque shows, they have obviously assigned more importance to the music in Ka. With a symphonic orchestra of 57 musicians and a choir of over 40 singers, the score of Ka has a grander fuller sound.

The entire score was written, arranged and produced by Rene Dupere, a person I had not heard of but had apparently participated in many previous Cirque productions.

When it comes to Cirque du Soleil; if the music makes the show, the most enjoyable music of Ka makes the show even better.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL MEMENTO, March 21, 2006

By	Cj D. Vries "HRH" (CapeTown, RSA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this CD to try and recapture the magic of the Vegas show, which I saw twice in one week. But when listening to the CD on its own I realized how extraordinary beautiful the music is , even without a show to accompany it. I would classify it as the most outstanding Cirque du Soleil soundtrack you can buy right now. Very well produced and beautifully performed, this CD will be played for a very long time in my humble abode. PS -Make an effort to see "Ka" and "O" at least once in your life... the best two shows in the world.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Feels like you are there again, March 14, 2006

By	jjc1965 (Kansas) - See all my reviews

Probably would have to have seen the production to appreciate the music. But assuming you saw "KA" in person this wonderful CD will enable you to visualize & enjoy it all again in your mind's eye.