Search - Vangelis :: El Greco

A great new score from Vangelis

Christopher Bechtel | Virginia Beach, VA | 03/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Vangelis' latest venture into cinematic scoring, El Greco, the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Though it does share some slight similarities with his former tribute to El Greco from 1998, particularly in Part 4, this new album shouldn't be confused with his previous work. The tracks are simply named Parts 1-18 and total about 46 minutes of music. Part 5 is a traditional folk song. Part 8 is composed and performed by Psarantonis. And Part 11 is written and performed by Loudovicos Ton Anogion.



I have not seen the film which this music was scored for, but following are some of my impressions.



Part 1: I understand this track is a slightly longer cue of the music from the climax of the film. It is a very simple melody for choir. In some ways it reminds me of the opening from Vangelis' Fifa World Cup Anthem. This theme is reprised in Part 18.



Part 2: A plucked martial melody, punctuated by a primal drumbeat. Gregorian chant for male choir calls out of the past and is answered by a female choir singing Agnus Dei. This piece sounds very much like some of the unreleased music from 1492: Conquest of Paradise.



Part 3: A graceful melody rises like a slow sunrise. This is perhaps an introduction to the artist and his art. By degrees the music probes deeper into its subject and soon culminates in a grand organ suggesting the supernatural element of El Greco's work. From here, the mood quickly descends into mystery and a sense of brooding conflict.



Parts 14 and 15 flow directly into one another. It begins with a feeling of longing and desire and builds to a slow drumming pulse echoed by a quiet breathing sound. This could be a romance or love scene.



This is a very gentle, reflective album with surprisingly little of the bombast Vangelis is known for. The music tells a more subtle drama than we're used to. The tracks mostly segue into one another and Vangelis mixes in a little of the usual wind and ocean ambience. Fans will be happy to find in this score all the mystery, passion and beauty in classic Vangelis fashion.

"

The Tchaikovsky of the Keyboards.

Frank Bromley | Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas | 12/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is not surprising that Vangelis is the modern day Tchaikovsky of the keyboards. I have admired and marveled at his work over the last the three decades. El Greco is one of his best. His ability to infuse opera, classical, melodic drifts in his work and give it feeling and direction is magnificent. Vangelis has blended these styles beautifully together where Kitaro, Rick Wakeman, Klaus Schulze,Yanni, and others have tried and not always succeed. In my humble opinion, El Greco is one of his best works. If you have a liking for Opera Sauvage,Ignacio, Mask, Heaven & Hell, L'Appoclapse Des Animaux, then add this excellent edition to the library."