Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 06/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Those of you who might sniff your nose up at the idea of something like DRACULA (Ballet in 3 Acts), don't. The music here is as bonafide and musically valid as any ballet penned by, for example, Prokofiev or Copland, et. al., and certainly more substantial than the recent minimalist Glass soundtrack composed for the 1931 Lugosi vehicle.
I've listened to the Feeney innumerable times (especially effective through headphones, by the way) and I am consistently impressed by his ingenuity, use of Hungarian folk rhythms (brilliantly and thrillingly realized in Act 1, Scene 2, "Transylvania," for example), highly-charged set pieces and a keen sense of dramatic atmosphere (as displayed in Act 2, "The Winter Garden of the Grand Hotel, Whitby"). And, of course, lest I forget, the overall spine-tingling moodiness Feeney creates, the eerie dread and downright spookiness, too. But this is no Halloween toss off; this is music of depth and substance, despite the nature of its subject, story and shadow. It's a treat, not a trick. Feeney is a serious composer and I, for one, marvel at his accomplishment. Sure: A DRACULA ballet. Of course the notion seems ludicrous, but don't let the Dracula "taint" throw you off. There's no Hollywood here. This is riveting, fabulous music that grips you in its vampiric tale, mesmerizes you, surprises and enthralls and, then, maybe, just maybe, lets you go. Its attraction is potent.
Grand sound from the NBTO under John Pryce-Jones. Kudos to Naxos for producing such wonderful stuff.
[Running time: 79:08]"
A romantic, evocative score for a ballet about Dracula
AmazingMrKimble | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA | 11/02/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I would have thought that Dracula would serve as the inspiration for a musical, a la Phantom, but this disc proved me wrong. I would love to see this as well as listen to it. This disc reminds you that there is a strong romantic element to the Dracula story, as has been more and more evident in recent cinematic versions. Feeney's ballet reminds me of a good old-fashioned movie score where sweeping strings mean romance and low chords spell despair and danger. Maybe someday they will use Feeney's music for a Dracula movie, like Disney did with "Sleeping Beauty." This is great music to listen while reading a book in the evening, even if it is not a vampire book."
Great Music - Good Performance
Josh Likes Music | Houston, TX United States | 01/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was impressed when I first heard this as a new recording on the radio back around 1997, and I'm still impressed. It's probably some of the best music ever created for a "dracula" production (including movie/tv, etc.). While the small orchestra in this recording does a very fine job of the performance and the quality of the recording is pretty good, I would LOVE to hear this recorded with a large orchestra (mainly with more strings), and with a label, such as Telarc, that puts out superior-sounding recordings - yes, this music is worth all of that."
The Bloody Ballet
W. H. J. Gaisford | Auckland, New Zealand | 09/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first saw the production of Dracula in 2001, performed by the Royal New Zealand Ballet in Auckland. It was such a success they remounted it again this year for a nationwide tour of the country, where I saw it a further two times. This has to be by far one of the greatest ballets ever put on stage. The choreography, stage design and set leave most other theatrical productions for dust. But what has to be the most captivating part of Dracula is the music, and it is this alone that could carry the performance even if everything else was bad - it never needed to, but it was that good.
Philip Feeney has created the true essence of the misunderstood Dracula, with some of the most sensual melodies ever to be heard by an orchestra. The 'Castle Dracula' scene (Track 4) where Harker is somewhat seduced by Dracula is breath-taking just to listen to. The power an emotion delivered through the score is pure magic, each peice never truely resolving, instead leaving you exhausted like an emotional roller-coaster. The entire album is a must for those who want something different in ballet music. It truely combines art and music to create a very enjoyable listening experience, taking the listener on a haunting journey that will leave you drained by the end of Act I."
Dracula The Ballet: Believe It!
Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 10/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When modern composer Phillip Feeney's ballet based on the Dracula story premiered in 2001, I was initially doubtful it would be successful, artistic and a powerful theatrical experience. I was wrong. This is a superb work of music, and on this recording, the Northern Ballet Theater conducted by Pryce-Jones delivers a performance akin to the score of a lush Gothic romance/horror film. This is a ballet but the music is so evocative and descriptive of each scene. Particularly impressive is the Prologue, with its mix of ominous chords and lilting strings. I loved Act 1's Transylvania, Castle Dracula and Winter Garden Of The Grand Hotel Whitby. In Act 2 I thoroughly enjoyed The Crypt and Death Scene, truly some of the most haunting music I have ever heard. This is perfect Halloween music, with a touch of romanticism.
I must say I loved the music more than the ballet itself which seemed rather avant-garde and hammy. It's hard to take Dracula, a predatory creature as a graceful dancer, eventhough there were moments of pure seduction in movement. The lighting, costumes, fog, and other theatrical props seemed like kitsch but the music was on a class of its own. Give this recording a try."