Music of the Spheres - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
Mike Oldfield has always been famed for his unconventional approach to music. Throughout his career he has consistently broken musical boundaries, and with Music of the Spheres he continues to do so. Taking influences from Holst and Rachmaninov as much as Steve Reich or William Orbit, this piece is classical in nature, but yet is also immediately identifiable as classic Mike Oldfield. Using a full concert orchestra and choir, and with solo parts from Mike himself on guitar, legendary soprano Hayley Westenra and renowned pianist Lang Lang, this is a work with huge emotional and musical scope. The title of the piece is a reference to something that Mike feels strongly: that all music should aim to represent the spriritual, or otherworldly elements of life: something beyond the mundane and everyday. In this he has clearly succeeded. Music of the Spheres is by turns epic, tender, mournful and triumphant. It is the work of a composer who above all can make beautiful and substantial music, regardless of genre or instrumentation.

Album Description
2008 reissue UK 'Special Edition' 2-CD album set - Collaborating, for this release, with the highly respected Karl Jenkins, Oldfield returned to his ubiquitous 'Tubular Bells' and used a theme from it AS the theme for his first attempt at a truly 'classical' album; with a guest appearances by the divine Hayley Westenra on the vocal piece 'On My Heart' and acclaimed pianist Lang Lang who appears throughout, Oldfield has drawn upon the best the Classical world has to offer for this premier outing. This deluxe reissue comes expanded with a Bonus 14-track CD featuring the previously unavailable 'Live at the Guggenheim' performance that occured on 7th March 2008 in Bilbao.

Customer Reviews: Read 25 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Refreshing! April 23, 2008
20 out of 22 found this review helpful

It's not fair for me to say that I'm no fan of Mike Oldfield's music since, before now, I had never heard anything by him - not even Tubular Bells. I had seen his name tossed around, especially in conjunction with Tubular Bells, but I never felt intrigued enough to seek out anything by him. I more or less disregarded him as a New Ager with zero musical sensibilities.

How wrong I was!

I came about this piece of music by sheer chance, it seems. In fact, I probably wouldn't have purchased the album if Amazon hadn't included it among its recommendations for things I "might also like." I checked out a couple of reviews both here and on iTunes, and it seemed that everybody who had listened to it couldn't say hardly a negative thing about it. Wondering "what gives," I decided to drop a little cash and see precisely what everyone was chattering about.

It turns out, what everyone is chattering about happens to be one of the most spectacular, luscious musical landscapes I've heard in quite a long time - and given that I'm almost constantly purchasing new music ranging from composed music (such as this) to hip-hop/rap, I feel this is quite a compliment.

This music defies physics: time altogether seems to pass by slowly, but not dull. No, far from it: every second is enjoyable! From the warm, celestial textures of the opening "Harbinger" to the soothing, blissful vocal of Hayley Westenra featured on "On My Heart," as I listen to this music I truly feel as if I'm swimming through atmospheres, dancing among the stars, and watching a divine interplay among the heavens. I'm not exaggerating. These metaphors are completely valid! The music vaguely reminds me of some of Aaron Copland's classic works ("Appalachian Spring"), and the way the vocals are utilized reminds me of Howard Shore ("Lord of the Rings") which may or may not prove to be an unfair comparison. There are hints of Oldfield's foray in to New Age as I'm reminded of Adiemus during certain sections, but I definitely don't think this is a bad thing. In all actuality, Oldfield's approach to classically composed music is refreshing given the rather stagnant nature such music has been in: either contemporary composers are selling us watered-down music in the traditional vein, or we're being exposed to unnecessary avant-garde hybrids. It's nice to hear a piece of music by a gentleman who hasn't got his head stuck in the clouds of Julliard.

Even if I never hear another work by Mike Oldfield as long as I live, this one will reign supreme among my other treasured works by the likes of Paert, Copland, Glass, and even Sibelius.

5 out of 5 stars

for the movie in your mind March 31, 2008
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

The sad element here is that this majestic piece of musical artistry will go largely ignored in the U.S. Mike Oldfield has created an expansive and inspirational work of great impact here. My first listen was in my car where I was struck by the tone and range of the work. At home, through my surround system (hey, why no 5.1 release???), the music naturally came fully to life and elicited many emotions and feelings. Oddly enough, at times I felt I was hearing the score to an epic film, yet one with quiet and contemplative moments. This is music with purpose, context, and meaning. If Tubular Bells was the prologue, this, then, is the masterwork. I will be buying more than a few copies for my friends.

Mr. Oldfield should "hook-up" with P.B.S. to present this work to a wider audience which may not be aware of its availability (although I could not find it in any store in the hinterland of Pittsburgh) and accessibility (for mature and focused listening pleasure). If P.B.S. can elevate "Celtic Woman" and other third rate warblers to big-seller-status, surely the same promotional effort can be put forth to genius.

Thanks, Mike, for an essential piece of music for the 21st century!!

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing! March 25, 2008
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Mike Oldfield returns with a fantastic work. You can tell the influence of his maturity. The album is like a supreme manifestation of his immortal work Tubular Bells, this time fully orchestrated. Simply it blows you mind.

3 out of 5 stars

Tubular Bells (Again). May 31, 2008
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

I like Oldfield, I have all of his albums including this one, but "Music Of The Spheres" is just more of the same. Oldfield has been spinning his creative wheels for over a decade now. I'd say the last Oldfield album I really enjoyed was 1994's "The Songs Of Distant Earth". Since then, Oldfield has been doing variations on the same themes with "Music Of The Spheres" being pleasant, but as another reviewer said, not innovative.

Yes, Oldfield utilizes real instruments and an orchestra and opera singer, but when it's all said and done it's not memorable. Some tracks standout more than others, and for me that moment comes in the middle of the album with "On My Heart" and "Aurora". I know I'm going to be lambasted for what I'm going to say next, but I'd really like to hear Oldfield utilize singers again and make more pop albums like "Five Miles Out", "Crises", "Discovery", "Islands" and "Earth Moving" as much as many fans would gasp in horror. It's been almost 20 years since he tried his hand at making a pop album, and I still think Oldfield excels at making good pop songs.

So, "Music Of The Spheres" is merely a rote exercise. Pleasant, inoffensive, average Oldfield. It did not excite me as some of his past work has. Good, but not above average or great.

5 out of 5 stars

Oldfield's Opus 1 April 11, 2008
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Mike Oldfield was originally going to call his first album "Opus 1", rather than "Tubular Bells". "Music of the Spheres" is Oldfield's true Opus 1. He has created a wonderful classical piece.

When I heard that Oldfield had gone classical, I was concerned that he created something totally experimental and far afield from his previous works that I enjoy so much. I was pleased he chose to start with the next evolution of "Tubular Bells" and then take off from there.

It all works for me. I'm so glad Mike Oldfield's creativity is alive and well.

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