Search - Walter Taieb, Dr. Philip Lasser :: Alchemist Symphony

Some notes on this work

10/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since this composer isn't represented otherwise on recording, I am supplying some notes on the composer and work, as printed in the notes on this album. Walter Taieb is a composer of French nationality living in New York. With the help of Julliard Professor Philip Lasser, he has developed a musical style called "Neo-Melodism." This is a new concept in contemporary classical music. "Its purpose is to touch all humanity through the power of timeless music designed to appeal to all, regardless of culture, nationality or age, using the secrets developed over centuries of musical evolution." The work utilizes a 75-piece philharmonic orchestra and several solo performers.The eight movements and five interludes of the symphony correspond to several passages in The Alchemist, a "spiritual and philosophical fable which has become a real phenomenon around the world," with more than 15 million copies of his books sold in 42 countries and 32 languages.The work is melodic and tonal with excellent studio-recorded sound, vaguely reminiscent of symphonic works of late 19th-early 20th century English composers such as Vaughan Williams and Elgar."