Artwork
Overview
Released on 20 April 1999
Length:54:59
LabelUniversal Music (Norway), Philips
Produced by Rolf Lovland
Length:54:59
LabelUniversal Music (Norway), Philips
Produced by Rolf Lovland
Tracklisting
1Moongate
2Prayer
3Elan
4Dreamcatcher
5Sona
6In Our Tears
7Children Of The River
8Evensong
9Lore Of The Loom
10Aria
11Divertimento
12Aquarell
13Dawn Of A New Century
2Prayer
3Elan
4Dreamcatcher
5Sona
6In Our Tears
7Children Of The River
8Evensong
9Lore Of The Loom
10Aria
11Divertimento
12Aquarell
13Dawn Of A New Century
Credits
- Accordion – Martin O'Connor
- Backing Vocals – Alf Emil Eik, Nikki Matheson, Rolf Lovland
- Bagpipes [Uilleann] – Mick O'Brien, Pat Broaders
- Bass – Per Elias Drabløs
- Bodhrán, Spoons, Percussion [Bones] – Tommy Hayes
- Choir – Anúna
- Co-producer – Fionnuala Sherry
- Composed By, Producer, Arranged By, Keyboards, Piano – Rolf Lovland
- Dizi [Chinese Flutes] – Steinar Ofsdal
- Drums, Percussion – Noel Eccles, Ottar Nesje
- Electric Guitar – Terje Rypdal
- Engineer – Alf Emil Eik, Andrew Boland, Oskar Pall Sveinsson*, Trond Engebretsen
- Guitar – Rolf Kristensen
- Guitar [Additional] – Alf Emil Eik
- Guitar [Classical] – Lars Hanniball
- Keyboards – Bjørn Ole Rasch
- Lead Vocals – Anne Karin Kaasa( Evensong), Fionnuala Sherry( Sona, Dreamcatcher), Karen Matheson( Prayers, Nikki Matheson)
- Narrator – John Kavanagh
- Oboe, English Horn – Henrik Eurenius
- Orchestra – Irish National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra
- Recorder, Bagpipes – Hans Fredrik Jacobsen
- Violin – Fionnuala Sherry
- Whistle – Hans Fredrik Jacobsen, Mick O'Brien
Review ( from www.musicaldiscoveries.com)
Secret Garden's latest album, Dawn Of A New Century(Mercury Records 538 838 2, 1999), like their two earlier albums, combines contemporary classical music with Celtic themes. With perfect production, the album's thirteen tracks are instrumentally rich, featuring Fionnuala Sherry's stunning violin parts and the tremendous keyboard work of Rolf Løvland. Once again Løvland has composed all the music, and has also arranged and produced the album with Fionnuala Sherry as co-producer. Additional vocals have been contributed by Karen Matheson (Capercaillie), Anne Karin Kaasa, Nikki Matheson and the Irish choir, Anuna, conducted by Michael McGlynn. Fionnuala makes her vocal debut in the everso sweet ballad "Sona."
The artists have significantly improved the stature of their vocal arrangements especially in the title track. Violin passages are a trademark of any Secret Garden release and they have reached new heights this time. The tremendous fiddle performances in the elaborately arranged traditional dance tunes "Elan," "Children Of The River" and "Lore Of The Loom" would all be equally at home within either the Riverdance or the Lord Of The Dance soundtracks. "In Our Tears" and "Aquarell" are typical of Secret Garden, both combining the accuracy and warmth of Rolf's keys with Fionnula's sensitive violin work.
Karen Matheson's vocals in "Prayer" bring Capercaillie to mind; the sound is later developed further with another vocalist in "Dreamcatcher" with more of a classical feel. "Evensong" has obvious Anuna vocal influences while Secret Garden's instrumental arrangements breathe a unique warmth into them. A dynamically stunning contemporary classical piece featuring violin, keys and lush orchestral parts called "Divertimento" is a clear testament to the artists' songwriting and performing capabilities and an album highlight.
The title track is truly epic in its proportions - a memorable melody arises from a powerful fusion of traditional Celtic and classical progressions; it is presented with narration, choir and orchestra and builds to a fantastic climax as the album concludes. You can find soundbites, further reviews and order the album at amazon.com here. A tremendous 170 minute DVD is also available and can be ordered from amazon.com here. Clearly, this stunning album is a must listen. CD and DVD:
The artists have significantly improved the stature of their vocal arrangements especially in the title track. Violin passages are a trademark of any Secret Garden release and they have reached new heights this time. The tremendous fiddle performances in the elaborately arranged traditional dance tunes "Elan," "Children Of The River" and "Lore Of The Loom" would all be equally at home within either the Riverdance or the Lord Of The Dance soundtracks. "In Our Tears" and "Aquarell" are typical of Secret Garden, both combining the accuracy and warmth of Rolf's keys with Fionnula's sensitive violin work.
Karen Matheson's vocals in "Prayer" bring Capercaillie to mind; the sound is later developed further with another vocalist in "Dreamcatcher" with more of a classical feel. "Evensong" has obvious Anuna vocal influences while Secret Garden's instrumental arrangements breathe a unique warmth into them. A dynamically stunning contemporary classical piece featuring violin, keys and lush orchestral parts called "Divertimento" is a clear testament to the artists' songwriting and performing capabilities and an album highlight.
The title track is truly epic in its proportions - a memorable melody arises from a powerful fusion of traditional Celtic and classical progressions; it is presented with narration, choir and orchestra and builds to a fantastic climax as the album concludes. You can find soundbites, further reviews and order the album at amazon.com here. A tremendous 170 minute DVD is also available and can be ordered from amazon.com here. Clearly, this stunning album is a must listen. CD and DVD:
Our thoughts of this album
- by Nhung Candy
New light. New moods. Musical messages keep developing .
For us, this album has 3 moods : Hymn moods ( Prayers,Dawn of a new century, Aria, In our tears). Sad mood ( Evensong,Aquarell), dancing/uptempo mood ( Elan, Lore of the loom, Divertimento, Children of the river) and romantic/love mood ( Sona, Dreamcatcher, Moongate)
This album and White Stones have a lot in common. The touching melodies of love is not only a creative musical element but also bring the listeners deep emotions and unforgetable experience/reminders. We think that in our lives, we have been struggling with many problems.When our hearts are filled with despair, we lost in tears and long to find a sign or searching for the peace of mind
New light. New moods. Musical messages keep developing .
For us, this album has 3 moods : Hymn moods ( Prayers,Dawn of a new century, Aria, In our tears). Sad mood ( Evensong,Aquarell), dancing/uptempo mood ( Elan, Lore of the loom, Divertimento, Children of the river) and romantic/love mood ( Sona, Dreamcatcher, Moongate)
This album and White Stones have a lot in common. The touching melodies of love is not only a creative musical element but also bring the listeners deep emotions and unforgetable experience/reminders. We think that in our lives, we have been struggling with many problems.When our hearts are filled with despair, we lost in tears and long to find a sign or searching for the peace of mind
Prayer
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
Till we see the light
Hush, lay down your troubled mind
The day has vanished and left us behind
And the wind, whispering soft lullabies
Will soothe, so close your weary eyes
Let your arms enfold us
Through the dark of night
Will your angels hold us
Till we see the light
Sleep, angels will watch over you
And soon beautiful dreams will come true
Can you feel spirits embracing your soul
So dream while secrets of darkness unfold
-PrayersThe light of the sun sun took us strolling
with the treasures of the world lying ahead,
Magic stones as bright as our eyes
lighting a path before us
The peace of the woods was music to our hearts
echoing the sound of the streams,
Autumn leaves - the voice on the wind
as nature is the source of our love
Now the stones are dancing in the sky
while the world is quietly sleeping,
Lovely visions in the secret garden,
of dreams floating all around us
Travelling in this forest like a lost soul
Bright stars of knowledge shining for the king
Travelling in this forest like a lost soul
Bright stones lighting our way
Eyes ever shining with light
Eyes under a secret spell
Dreaming of the jewels in the garden
of wonders that will never be revealed
- Sona ( English Translation)
For the very first time the duo record their own vocal parts ( Fi sang Sona/ Dreamcatcher and Rolf on backing vocal). Rolf's voice is warm and Fi's voice reminds ( a little bit) of Enya ( especially when she sings Sona in Gaelic).
That distinguishes Dawn of a new century from other ones
The melancholy flows throughout the album. As always Fi's violin captures true sentimental moods.
Moongate opens the album elegantly and romantically when both violin and bass guitar sound flow and fly endlessly. Dreamcatcher recalls a dark, mysterious space, expressed perfectlly by whispering string sound and voice .
Evensong is like the natural call from long distance. Close our eyes, we can feel the blue echoes on our mind. Aquarell is a sign of silent moments from " a sleepless night" when both piano and violin sound create sound like a gentle whisper.
The album also has a strong side. Title track Dawn of a new century is a perfect combination of instrumental/ orchestral sound, choir( Anuna) and narration. Like a hymn of the history, the song reflects times from the past and yearning for the promisig future. Children of the river takes inspiration from Chinese traditional music, which bring first new strong unique Asian sound to the listeners.
The uptempo songs from the album are lighter than the ones in White Stones. We're impressed by Elan,violin sound shines and rises over the percussion/piano background
Dawn of a new century is our inspiration.
That distinguishes Dawn of a new century from other ones
The melancholy flows throughout the album. As always Fi's violin captures true sentimental moods.
Moongate opens the album elegantly and romantically when both violin and bass guitar sound flow and fly endlessly. Dreamcatcher recalls a dark, mysterious space, expressed perfectlly by whispering string sound and voice .
Evensong is like the natural call from long distance. Close our eyes, we can feel the blue echoes on our mind. Aquarell is a sign of silent moments from " a sleepless night" when both piano and violin sound create sound like a gentle whisper.
The album also has a strong side. Title track Dawn of a new century is a perfect combination of instrumental/ orchestral sound, choir( Anuna) and narration. Like a hymn of the history, the song reflects times from the past and yearning for the promisig future. Children of the river takes inspiration from Chinese traditional music, which bring first new strong unique Asian sound to the listeners.
The uptempo songs from the album are lighter than the ones in White Stones. We're impressed by Elan,violin sound shines and rises over the percussion/piano background
Dawn of a new century is our inspiration.