Mythodea: Music for the NASA Mission: 2001 Mars Odyssey

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
An avatar of orchestral synthesis for 30 years, Vangelis has only now made his full orchestral outing with the ambitious and epic Mythodea. Currently linked as theme music for NASA's Mission to Mars program, Mythodea dates back to 1993, when Vangelis premiered the work in a live performance. After the amorphous synthesizer opening, Vangelis is little-heard, using his keyboards only to support the large orchestra, 100-voice mixed choir, massed timpani, and the twin soprano leads of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman. Echoes of Gustav Holst, Gustav Mahler, and Carl Orff suffuse Mythodea, with its stentorian choirs, rumbling percussion, and dense string writing. Singing a hybrid language, Norman and Battle spiral through Vangelis's evocation of an ancient Greek landscape. By turns smothering and grandiose, and often turgid, Mythodea is nevertheless studded with memorable themes, notably "Movement 9." It's a poignant, haunting melody, with the sopranos looping back and forth in ascending arcs, recalling Delibes's aria from "Lakmé," better known as the British Airways theme. This is the Vangelis of "L'Enfant," and "Heaven & Hell," where the composer's true voice is heard. --John Diliberto

Tracks:

Overture
Movement 1
Movement 2
Movement 3
Movement 4
Movement 5
Movement 6
Movement 7
Movement 8
Movement 9
Movement 10

Amazon.com

An avatar of orchestral synthesis for 30 years, Vangelis has only now made his full orchestral outing with the ambitious and epic Mythodea. Currently linked as theme music for NASA's Mission to Mars program, Mythodea dates back to 1993, when Vangelis premiered the work in a live performance. After the amorphous synthesizer opening, Vangelis is little-heard, using his keyboards only to support the large orchestra, 100-voice mixed choir, massed timpani, and the twin soprano leads of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman. Echoes of Gustav Holst, Gustav Mahler, and Carl Orff suffuse Mythodea, with its stentorian choirs, rumbling percussion, and dense string writing. Singing a hybrid language, Norman and Battle spiral through Vangelis's evocation of an ancient Greek landscape. By turns smothering and grandiose, and often turgid, Mythodea is nevertheless studded with memorable themes, notably "Movement 9." It's a poignant, haunting melody, with the sopranos looping back and forth in ascending arcs, recalling Delibes's aria from "Lakmé," better known as the British Airways theme. This is the Vangelis of "L'Enfant," and "Heaven & Hell," where the composer's true voice is heard. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

GOLDEN SILENCE!.......2007-02-17

VANGELIS at his best EVER!
I watched the live concert in Athens at the Temple of OLYMPIC ZEUS, right across the Acropolis.
Excellent live performance not only from Vangelis, but from the rest of the performers and musicians! Buy the CD and the DVD as well.
There are no words for someone, to describe the outstanding sonic+harmonic excellence of MYTHODEA!
There is an ancient Greek saying:
"If you haven't anything important to talk about, try and remain silent!" "SILENCE IS LIKE GOLD"....
CD buyers... just listen and enjoy..... DVD live concert collectors.....watch and listen as well...this is VANGELIS at his best!!!
Bravo Vangeli.....

genius.......2007-01-27

Vangelis's work is often so stunningly brilliant, that it gives one shivers. To see Vangelis in the midst of this orchesta, choir and massive bank of synthesizers and realize
that all of this music came from the mind of one man who cannot read music, seems to be miraculous. I do not know how to phrase it in a different manner, if you love progressive and classical music, this is a work of genius.

Vangelis does it again.......2006-09-28

The full power of this music has to be experienced by watching the accompanying live DVD. The music is both powerful and lush. The contributions of sopranos Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman add to the grandeur and made me go immediately and get a copy.

Mythodea .......2006-09-18

Vangelis' new triumph. A gorgeous combination of orchestra, synthesizer, & voice. I only wish there was a libretto to go with the disc!!!! Bravo Vangelis!!!!!

Vangelis at its best.......2005-05-22

Turn off the lights, close your eyes and be prepared to experience a trip in space and time. The Master signs here what I consider one his best releases !

You can choose this one without any doubt, you won't regret. I own many Vangelis albums and this one is one of my favourites !

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