My Review on Brightman's "Live in Vienna" DVD
joeparaski
Posts: 1,865
I already have the Symphony CD and I've seen the concert. But I didn't expect the DVD to blow me away like it did. The concert was recorded in St. Stephens Cathedral in Vienna. Now I don't know what the acoustics are like when you are there in person, but it was pretty darn good on my system, and I don't have near as good a sound as some of you folks enjoy on your systems. (but i wasn't doing any "critical" listening anyway, just enjoying the concert).
Seeing the performers up close on the DVD brings you closer and more into the music (unless you happen to be front row center at the concert). The duet with Sarah and tenor Allesandro Safina was powerful and moving. The buildup of the violins and Sarahs' voice on "Sanvean" put tears in my eyes.
She does a duet with Chris Thomson of Manfred Mann called "I will be with you" which lends a "rock" voice to the song, although I prefer the cd version with front man Paul Stanley of KISS. Nevertheless Thomson does an excellent job on that piece and on "Phantom of the Opera".
The piece "Running" starts with a hymn and jumps into action with a full-blown rock band playing then seamlessly goes back to the hymn with a beautiful solo violin playing. The mix of rock band and a full orchestra is amazing to watch and listen to.
The Cathedral itself is a thing of beauty although it makes for some odd seating arrangements for some of the concert goers.
It must have been pretty cold too, because people in the audience were all wearing coats, but somehow, Sarah was there singing away with skin exposed on various sleeveless gowns.
Seeing that it was a taped concert to be released on DVD, you can tell that the audience was instructed not to applaud till the last noted faded away on a song. (They must get some sort of signal when it's ok to applaud).
Video quality was excellent (on my 50" Samsung plasma anyway) although I'm not sure if there is a Blue Ray version available.
For any of you that enjoy Sarah Brightmans' music, you owe it to yourself to get this DVD, you will not regret it. It's one of those DVD's that you want to invite your friends over so that they can experience it too. It's all good from start to finish.
Two thumbs up and 5 stars for this one!!
Joe
Seeing the performers up close on the DVD brings you closer and more into the music (unless you happen to be front row center at the concert). The duet with Sarah and tenor Allesandro Safina was powerful and moving. The buildup of the violins and Sarahs' voice on "Sanvean" put tears in my eyes.
She does a duet with Chris Thomson of Manfred Mann called "I will be with you" which lends a "rock" voice to the song, although I prefer the cd version with front man Paul Stanley of KISS. Nevertheless Thomson does an excellent job on that piece and on "Phantom of the Opera".
The piece "Running" starts with a hymn and jumps into action with a full-blown rock band playing then seamlessly goes back to the hymn with a beautiful solo violin playing. The mix of rock band and a full orchestra is amazing to watch and listen to.
The Cathedral itself is a thing of beauty although it makes for some odd seating arrangements for some of the concert goers.
It must have been pretty cold too, because people in the audience were all wearing coats, but somehow, Sarah was there singing away with skin exposed on various sleeveless gowns.
Seeing that it was a taped concert to be released on DVD, you can tell that the audience was instructed not to applaud till the last noted faded away on a song. (They must get some sort of signal when it's ok to applaud).
Video quality was excellent (on my 50" Samsung plasma anyway) although I'm not sure if there is a Blue Ray version available.
For any of you that enjoy Sarah Brightmans' music, you owe it to yourself to get this DVD, you will not regret it. It's one of those DVD's that you want to invite your friends over so that they can experience it too. It's all good from start to finish.
Two thumbs up and 5 stars for this one!!
Joe
Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
Post edited by joeparaski on
Comments
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Awesome review, Joe. Thanks for posting. I"ll have to grab that when I go shopping.
I"m also a big Sarah Brightman fan. Symphony is such a great album. I still prefer "TtSG" but this one is very close. Ahh wtf, they're all amazing.
Did she do "Who Wants to Live Forever"? The ones on the Eden and La Luna DVD's gets me everytime I hear and watch her perform that song. Just beautiful. She is the most stunning woman. -
No, "who wants to live forever" is not on this dvd. Be sure to get the one that has both the cd and dvd in the box. Of course the dvd has the usual special features and interview with Sarah.
JoeAmplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96. -
Nice review, I'll have to pick it up.
Nik
