Schiller

I love Schiller and love this cd. I never even heard of him before listening to videos on Youtube.com and liked it instantly. Great dance, electronica, techno music. It came in plenty of time in excellent condition and continue to enjoy listening to that cd.

This is the sexiest album ever made by a german artist. Mind blowing melodies and porn groove infected electronica. Get this album right away!!! Whatever price you pay will still be lot less than what this album is actually worth...

Tag und Nacht (the original German version of this album) was my favorite album of 2005. I was excited upon learning that Schiller was releasing the album in the US under the moniker of "Day and Night" but then I saw the tracklisting. For whatever reason, three of the original tracks (including the two singles - Die Nacht and Der Tag) have been replaced with other songs. Normally I wouldn't care as much but my personal favorite track - "Der Tag" - was replaced with, oh what's that, a song that was already released on a different album?!? Yep that's right, "The Smile" (track #11) was already on their 2003 album. I guess it's some kind of American marketing scheme. My advice? If you really like Schiller, get the German version called "Tag und Nacht" - this original version flows better overall and also comes with a bonus disc with five additional tracks on it.

I seem to say this with every Schiller album that graces these ears of mine but each new release by German composer Christopher Von Deylen is remarkably better than the last! From start to finish it is pure listening bliss at its absolute finest. The sound is a diverse, exotic mix of lush trance, driving electronica and emotional chillout all cohered in heavenly perfection. And the beautiful, angelic voices of Tarja Turunen (ex-Nightwish singer), Sarah Brightman, Moya Brennan, Kim Sanders and Jette Von Roth lift the music to otherworldy heights.

The year-long wait for a US release was well worth it for me. It just doesn't get much better than this!

schiller is great!!!... but I think this CD is softer, lighter that previous works in terms that mix songs that are pure trance with songs that are more ambiental or melodic/comercial...
a little bit less trance than other works like weltreise (or Voyager)(2002) and Zeitgeist (2001) which are really excellent, but still is great... get these 3 CDs, plus try to get the special edicion of LIFE (2004) which comes with 2 CDs and an excellent DVD.

Schiller is simply fantastic! I own all 5 of his albums, and it is difficult to pick a favorite as they are all unique and amazing in their own way.

This album in particular is very relaxing - enigma like, yes, but like I mentioned, very unique. Schiller has broken barriers with his sound, and if you're into ambient trance, this is the album to get!

I also found the narration in this album inspiring, mind opening and relaxing!

Perhaps if all the talking, and the word "Schiller" wasn't used so many times throughout the album I might have been more...generous... with my rating, but this self-aggrandizing stuff is usually relegated to hip-hop bling addicts, not electronica gurus.

Not that I have any huge love of Enigma, but the first 2 tracks here might as well have been copies of songs from Enigma's first album....and not very good ones at that.

Too much repetition, too canned-sounding, not enough inventiveness, and waaay too schmaltzy to ever be considered a contender.

Great electronica creates effect without being obvious about it. This doesn't.

(Sorry for the bad review, but I know mediocre music when I hear it.)

If you like Enigma and electronic club music you will like this disc. However, I could have done without the voice intro which is a serious and almost comical rip off of Enigma. Also, is Peter Heppner a German incarnation of Peter Murphy? When I first heard Dream of You, I thought "Oh, that's what happened to Peter Murphy." On the whole, it works very well. The track entitled "Schiller" is my favorite instrumental, and the various vocalists do an excellent job. I also speak German, so the German bits are actually a plus.

Outstanding music from Schiller, this is one of the best I have heard after Enigma, Deep forest, and Buddha Bar
Its very relaxing but not very slow either

This is one of my favourite albums! And it is only going to get better! Their next full-length release is called "Leben" which will include vox from Peter Heppner of Wolfsheim (Again!Yay for Wolfsheim!), Sarah Brightman (who covers "a beautiful day" on her new release "Harem"),The one and only Alexander Veljanov of Deine lakaien Fame,as well as Kim Sanders again and Mila Mar on the first single "Liebe". Pick up Voyage first, then the new one (out in October in Deutschland), and then Zeitgeist. Amazing music!

There is no voice in this world I'd rather hear than Heppner amazingly melodic voice! And combining with Schiller's musical brilliance, you just gotta have it!! I never tire of hearing it!!!

I thought I recognized the male voice as soon as I began playing this single, and I had to look Heppner up to see if he was of Wolfsheim. The Humate mix works best with his voice. It's moody, trancy, dark house. The Felipe Inoa mix is minimlastic house with a middle eastern sound. Marco Zappala's mix is funk house. Mellow Traxk mis is dark and hard I(like this mix). Sono's Ghost mix is clunky house. the Splashfunk mix is hard and energetic, another good mix. Funky Junction mix is funky and trancey at the same time. Chill out version is mostly synth and vocal. Pretty good variety of mixes if you like male vocal house.

track 2 is the best imo, but the whole cd is awsome and flows at a moderate and trancy pace. one of his best

This album is everything promised by all the rave reviews left before me. However "Leben," the German version is a better production than "Life" is. Shuck out a few more bucks and spring for the German import of this album. (Except for the poetry read between the tracks, only two songs are in German anyway.)

The transition between track one and two on "Life" is extremely awkward. The rhythm seems to somehow be a half a beat ahead of where it is supposed to be until you can finally adjust to it. This doesn't occur in "Leben," which has a smooth transition. Also, "Leben" contains the usual, proper intro track.

"LIFE" is a genius masterpiece and it's more than just another album featuring 2 Sarah Brightman songs. It takes all the collaborating artists to make up such a wonderful album. "LIFE" features 7 artists including Schiller (Christopher Von Deylen) himself. The ambient, futuristic and "floating" beats, keyboard riffs and colorful arrangements showcase what music should be about. When I first received this CD, I wasn't sure whether to love it or hate it, because for some reason, the songs sounded too much alike. Well...I don't know what planet I was on, because "LIFE" appeals to me much now. Even my partner is/was impressed with the fresh, free sound, melody & mood of each song. In some songs, you can compare the CD to "Conjure One", "Waterbone", "Enigma", "Delerium", "Single Gun Theory", Deep Forest and even "Chorus of Tribes".

I'm not too impressed with the quality of the DVD...for it's really fuzzy & the sound isn't all that great in certain parts. Also...they stuck Sarah Brightman at the very end of the 2nd concert and she only sang 1 song, titled "THE SMILE". Here, she only sings about 10 words and the rest is just instrumental. That was a bad idea. She should've sung "I'VE SEEN IT ALL", for it's a better song and requires vocals through the whole thing. That is basically my only complaint.

"I FEEL YOU", featuring Heppner, is a wonderful intro, preparing the listener for more enigmatic gems. With its light, floating & reverbrating keyboards & heavy sub bass, this track races through my veins. "I'VE SEEN IT ALL" is beautiful, sung by Sarah Brightman. This is the one song, which stuck with me since the "HAREM" era took off. Sarah's voice is perfect for this song and this style of music is what should be on her next CD. "LOVE", featuring Mila Mar is dark & haunting, yet has that familiar Euro beat. I like the creamy, dreamy tone of her voice. When she sings in lower tones, her voice can almost sound like 80's pop singer Carol Decker, from the band T'PAU. "I MISS YOU", featuring Maya Saban, is moody, mystic & has that "reverb" keyboard effect as well. The drum machine adds some ambiance without spoiling the Euro flavor of the song. Personally, I don't care for "THE SMILE". There's not enough vocals and I find Sarah is "robbed" of a full song. It's a funny statement, so I have to laugh. "BABEL" is dreamy & ambient, starting with a bouncy keyboard intro, leading into a slow, rhythmic tribal drum.

Moving on, "DESIRE", featuring Veljanov, is a gorgeous song with the same Euro reverb keyboard riffs and mysterious air. A song exactly like this should be found on Sarah Brightman's next CD. Hopefully Schiller collaborated with Frank Peterson & Sarah Brightman, because I consider "DESIRE" to be the perfect ambient song for a male. Veljanov has that deep, rich voice which you wouldn't expect from a pop song. "DELICATELY YOURS" wins hands down as the best track on the entire album. Kim Sanders really spoils us with her vocal talents...and I want to hear more of her. The song begins with 3 notes from a guitar & a Middle-Eastern vocal chant & a slow, tribal drum beat. The ambiance picks up as the drum continues, becoming stronger. What a mesmerizing soundscape of color, landscape and vast horizon which kicks Sarah Brightman & Frank Peterson right in the butt. This is what European music is all about!!! I'm not crazy about "I'VE SEEN IT ALL" sung by Maya Saban. It doesn't have the same feeling, compared to Sarah Brightman's version. Sarah does the song 10 times more justice. Maya's voice is more smokey and doesn't propel outward like Sarah's. Regarding the instrumental tracks...they are all great and I don't have any preference.

As for the packaging...I like the jewel-case and the deep violet liner booklet & tray art. On the front cover, the 4 elements (Fire, Water, Earth & Sky) are pictured in "Symbol" form. Inside, I appreciate the photos of Christopher Von Deylen. He's handsome. Also, the lyrics for all the "Sung" songs are included. So, in other words, this product is truly a "Must Have" for any music lover. Buy the CD and discover for yourself, the musical genius of Schiller.

Tracklist:
01- I Feel You (Feat. Heppner) - 3:44
02- Summer Rain (Instrumental) - 3:52
03- I've Seen It All (Feat. Sarah Brightman) - 4:19
04- Future (Instrumental From the Movie "Gate to Heaven") - 4:27
05- Love (Feat. Mila Mar) - 3:47
06- Unison (Instrumental) - 4:39
07- I Miss You (Feat. Maya Saban) - 6:01
08- Middle Earth (Instrumental) - 4:53
09- The Smile (Feat. Sarah Brightman) - 5:16
10- Triad (Instrumental) - 4:33
11- Babel (Feat. Mila Mar) - 4:21
12- Desire (Feat. Veljanov) - 4:00
13- Tranquility (Instrumental) - 3:59
14- Past (Instrumental) - 4:28
15- Delicately Yours (Feat. Kim Sanders) - 4:56
16- Conclusion (Instrumental) - 3:18
BONUS TRACK
17- I've Seen It All (Feat. Maya Saban) - 4:51

Tracklist for DVD (Disc 2) - Over 90 minutes in length
01- Live in Frankfurt -
02- Live in Berlin -
03- Videos * LIEBE
...............* LEBEN - I FEEL YOU
04- Photogallery (From Frankfurt & Berlin Concerts)

I love the music of Schiller, this is a really good album from those people who love the electronic music, also I love the DVD with concerts and videos, Sarah Brightman is great in this cd I love her 2 songs with Schiller also her participation on the Berlin Concert, Great CD!!!!

What an incredible CD/DVD combo! This is without a doubt my favourite music purchase of the decade. Oh ,and what a deal too. A DVD with two concerts, Frankfurt and Berlin, and two videos is included!

Close your eyes, relax and let your imagination and feelings go free. Prepare for a journey that will guide you through moods and soundscapes which will change your life... Life, the new album from electronic new-age artist, Schiller, continues the mystical musical exploration that began with their last album, Voyage.

Schiller's music fuses multiple genres - ambient, trance, and world - into an electronic new age sound that is multi-faceted and uniquely their own, a modern day ethereal new age music with a beat. Their sound, with its mellow mood, relaxing beats, and haunting melodies, has often been compared to artists such as Enigma, Tangerine Dream, Enya and Vangelis. With layer upon layer of musical elements - atmospheric synths, tribal instruments, angelic vocals, hypnotic rhythms, etc - Schiller weaves an exotic musical tapestry rich in depth and texture.

Schiller has had 1 platinum and 2 gold albums in Germany and normally performs to sell-out crowds at their live performances. They have had numerous Top 10 pop singles across Europe.

Do your self a favour and buy this set NOW!

Best Schiller disc I have listened to thus far. I their 4 previous discs and love them all but this is my favorite so far.

Dream of You, currently, favorite song. I can't get enough of the sweeeeeeeeet beats and the dude from Wolfsheim, awesome. My e~mail address is Shelly1079@yahoo.com if anybody else knows similar songs I may like!. Thanks!

If you like Trance music, then listen to Weltreise (Voyage).
Schiller is Fantastic. You wont regret paying for this album.

Naxos' thorough survey of Ferruccio Busoni's (1866-1924) solo piano music (Busoni: Piano Music, Vol. 1) has so far reached three volumes. I hold all of them in high esteem and I believe Naxos showcases a remarkable champion of Busoni with the pianist Wolf Harden. In addition to the on-going solo piano music series, Naxos has also released two issues of Busoni's chamber music; very rare and exquisite stuff: Busoni: Complete Works for Cello and Piano and Busoni: Violin Sonatas; Four Bagatelles. It's not surprising, then, that Naxos has seen fit to promulgate Busoni's original works for Two Pianos.

Those new to Busoni may want to explore Naxos' solo piano music volumes first. I wouldn't call this specific recording supplementary, but I appreciated it far more after examining Busoni's solo piano music. Most will agree that the "Fantasia Contrappuntistica" is Busoni's most soaring and striking composition. Based on an unfinished fugue subject from Bach's "Art of Fugue" and the chorale, "Allein Gott in der Hoeh sei Ehr," Busoni creates a dizzying, magnificent and totally arresting behemoth of music. I am acquainted with John Ogdon's and Wolf Harden's interpretations, and although I cannot say Schiller and Humphreys surpass them in any respects, this two-piano performance still amplifies the expression behind Busoni's cerebral ideas. Busoni thought his Fantasia was "a disproportionate task for ten fingers, whereas divided between twenty it would be easy and transparent for player and listener alike." But the ten fingers of Schiller and Humphreys accomplish the task with virtuous results. Not only is the spirit and nobility behind this gargantuan work fully realized, but two pianos really enhance and clarify the layers of polyphony.

As the reviewer Scott Morrison keenly points out, Busoni had in mind to arrange the four pieces on this recording into one gigantic work. Thus it is strange that the track numbers were not aligned to correspond with the movement-scheme according to Busoni's suggestion. Nevertheless, the piece that could constitute Busoni's "first movement," the beautiful and august "Improvisations on Bach's Chorale," is played with convincing sonority on two pianos. The piano duo sounds completely engrossed in the music, too: besides immaculate precision in all the counterpoint, Schiller and Humphreys emphasize the Romantic side of this music with majestic swells in dynamics and a supple tempo. The other two pieces which could be considered the "middle" movements of Busoni's epic version, are both essentially transcriptions of original music from Mozart. Dr. Kenneth Hamilton, the liner-notes writer, calls Mozart's Fantasy for a Barrel-Organ K. 608 "surprisingly stern and weighty." And Busoni's robust arrangement for two pianos adds to the "weight" of Mozart's music. Busoni certainly maintains all of Mozart's charm, but also manages to subtly convey his own touches as well. I won't say a lot about the Duettino Concertante, which is really a piano transcription of the Finale from Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 19. Without a doubt the movement exemplifies a brilliant and lovable Mozart. Allan Schiller is renowned "as one of the finest Mozartians of his generation," so one can expect an artful and suave execution.

Bottom line: Busoni novices and completists alike can find musical ambrosia here. I would recommend that beginners to Busoni's music explore the solo piano music first, especially Wolf Harden's performance of the "Fantasia Contrappuntistica." The strengths of the other three compositions on this disc are unquestionable, though. Conclusively, the continuous expertise and musicality in the interpretations by Schiller and Humphreys heighten the quality of this already splendid music experience.

I agree with Scott Morrison - this must be one of the most gripping (and natural sounding)performances of this repertoire on disc. Although a 'studio' recording the playing sounds 'alive' and physical in a way that studio performances often do not. The pianists are suberbly matched and the stereo separation of the two Steinways is a credit to the production team.

To the extent that piano music by Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924) is known to the average music-lover, it is in the form of the fairly straightforward hyphenated piano arrangements of the music of other composers, e.g. Bach-Busoni. But he wrote a lot of original music and some of it was for two pianos. Here we have four such works, including the two-piano version of his pianistic masterpiece, the highly original and fascinating half-hour-long Fantasia Contrappuntistica. I had never heard this version before - I'm very familiar with the one-piano version - and must say that from its initial peremptory dotted-figure opening through to the end of the final stretta it commands the listener's attention. Part of the work is a set of variations based on Bach's chorale 'Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr.' Typical of Busoni, he couldn't leave the original one-piano version alone -- it went through several versions and finally was arranged as here for two pianos, and then, thinking to make it the final movement of a gigantic two-piano sonata, he added three further movements, also heard here. Each of these pieces can be played as a stand-alone work, but the cumulative power of hearing the four pieces in succession is pretty impressive. On this CD, however, the Fantasia Contrappuntistica is Track 1, so if you want to hear the putative 'sonata' as Busoni considered presenting it, you must program your CD player to play tracks in the following order: 2 3 4 1.

Track 2 contains the so-called 'Improvisation on the Bach Chorale "Wie wohl ist mir, o Freund der Seele"', which in its original form had been part of a violin sonata. (See how complicated Busoni's oeuvre can get because of his penchant for changing his mind about the form various works should take?) Just as the outer movements of this 'sonata' are based on Bach's music, the two inner movements are based on themes by Mozart, another of Busoni's gods. Movement Two (Track 3) is entitled 'Fantasie für eine Orgelwalze', based on a trivial Mozart tune actually written for barrel organ, K. 608. It is, actually, a pretty weighty movement, and sounds more like the Busoni we're used to from his many hyphenated arrangements. This is followed by Movement Three (Track 4) called 'Duettino Concertante nach Mozart' which is based on the finale of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 19 in F Major, K. 459. It acts as the Scherzo (albeit in 2/4) of this putative sonata and is entirely winning.

The two pianists here are Alan Schiller and John Humphreys, both British and neither of whom I'd heard of before. They apparently have been playing together for many years, although each has another career as a soloist and teacher. They certainly seem to have the sound of a duo who think and breathe together. (Their rapid-fire double-thirds trills and scales are breathtakingly synchronized.) Sound is clear and lifelike, if just a bit shallow. This is a marvelous exposition of rarely-heard music by an altogether under-appreciated 20th century composer.

TT=58:01

Scott Morrison