Dracula, The Seduction -- Excellent!!
John W. | Jackson, Michigan USA | 10/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording is a "must have" for your collection. One review mentions that it is heavy on the percussion and brass. I actually think it is a good blend. The composition definitely brings out the eerie excitement I experienced when first reading Dracula back in 1967. I would highly recommend buying the book when getting the CD. The one will compliment the other."
SEDUCED? I THINK NOT.
Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 01/06/2003
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Not even the eager attempts, nor superb brasswork, of Proteus 7 can save this amateurishly uninspired and childish work from becoming downright laughable. The obvious mechanics of composition are insipid, their disappointingly third-rate attempts soon become merely hectic, annoying contrivances, acutely preposterous.
I find no discernible or sustained "mood" here, no real cohesion or ambience. What di Lorenzo has given us is an amalgam, a hodgepodge of musical sound-bites that, relative to the subject matter, he attempts to validate. No use of brass, inappropriate percussion (bongos!), computer-generated (or is it actual?) vocalise, nor vampiric slurpings can turn this "two-act ballet" into anything authentic.
For those who want to investigate music that actually does justice to the infamous Transylvanian count, I strongly recommend Philip Feeney's superb and atmospheric DRACULA (Ballet in Three Acts) on Naxos or, for those minimalists amongst you, the Philip Glass score on Nonesuch--- composed for, and appended to, the special edition VHS/DVD of Bela Lugosi's fabulous 1931 film classic, and performed brilliantly by the Kronos Quartet. Both contain music worth the hearing.
Other than its abyssmal ineptitude, there is nothing quantifiably interesting about this present CD. In fact, the only thing "scary" about Anthony di Lorenzo's DRACULA: THE SEDUCTION is the plain fact that it actually "seduced" the folks at Dorian to produce it.
[Running time: 51:50]"
A very worthwhile addition to your collection
fionnmaccumhal | San Diego, CA USA | 10/01/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD has grown on me over the past year. On first listening I found a few tracks really interesting and exciting but had trouble with others. Now after hearing it completely many times I've developed an appreciation for the whole work. There is some very good music here, atmospheric and exciting and, yes, seductive. All played with great skill by Proteus 7. Give it a try."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1