Track Listing

1. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
2. Destiny
3. Violin Fantasy on Puccini's Turandot/Nessun Dorma [From Violin Fantasy
4. I'm A-Doun for Lack O' Johnnie (A Little Scottish Fantasy)
5. Storm
6. I Feel Love
7. Bach Street Prelude
8. Aurora
9. Winter (From the Four Seasons), Op. 8/4/Largo
10. Contradanza
11. White Bird
12. Summer (From the Four Seasons), Op. 8/2/Allegro Non Molto
13. Happy Valley
14. Devil's Trill
15. Solace

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30336 in Music
• Released on: 2003-03-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Customer Reviews

Classical Music With A Pop Twist
The violinist Vanessa Mae has been a recording artist and performer of classical music for a while now, but it was recently when I heard her version of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor which opens this album. Vanessa Mae combines the fiery passion and technical art of playing violin with the background music imitating the music that's hot today among the young- rock, pop, alternative, New Age. She is a revolutionary artist,
who comes off like a rock star who can play classical. And does she ever play classical! She has mastered the art of the violin in its detailed facets- intensity, sorrow, beauty, drama. The cd opens with Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach, which Miss Mae has arranged for violin and a rather upbeat contemporary background music. It is nothing like the Stokowski orchestra arrangement but it is very effective and quite pleasurable to hear. Very intense and lively. It actually makes you want to dance.

The Puccini opera Turandot contains the famous tenor aria "Nessun Dorma" which Vanessa Mae has arranged for violin. The romantic melody of the aria, the perfect balance of beauty and passion, are vividly displayed. The "softer" sounds of the violin are detailed and a perfect contrast to the stormy sounds of the Bach Toccata and Fugue that preceeds it. The rest of the music are colorful and engaging. There is a violin version of a tune from Scotland, more than likely a folk song. The Winter and Summer movements from Vivaldi's Four Seasons are excellent renditions and sure to amaze you with it's unconventional take.
Finally, the Devil Trill Sonata is aptly dramatic. The good thing about Vanessa Mae's music is that her violin is faithful to the original classical sounds of the pieces, even if the background "orchestra" is contemporary in nature.

This is GREAT!
Being a classical fan myself, I find this music wonderful. The only problem with classical music is that it can sometimes be slow. Vanessa-Mae's music is a mix between classical and contemporary music, and is spectacular. My favorite songs are Happy Valley and I'm Doun for Lack o Johnny, though all of them are great. They are all filled with emotion that makes it such a good CD. The music is dramatic, sad, and uplifting. I would highly recommend this CD.

simply the best!
I became a VM fan right after listening to this cd. My favourite piece would have to be I'm all doun for lack o Johnnie. Its simply enchanting, and it starts off with VM singing. Her voice is great, and can be heard on other tracks like I Feel Love, a song that sounds a lil disco-like [great for parties] and White Bird, which focusses more on her voice, than on her violin. Happy Valley is another track which is amazing. slightly more classical pieces like Bach street prelude, The four seasons- summer and winter shows off VM's wonderful techniques and skills. This cd is truly a gem, try it!