"There are firm boundaries dividing the musical genres of new age, sacred chant, electronica and classical music. And you'll find them all crossed here, on this album from the genius of The Brave (a.k.a. Klaus Zundel). Drawing on classical roots and inspirations, this oddly named writer and producer has created layers of lush sound that stir the spirit and mend the soul.
The music sits quietly in the background, a perfect ambient moodsetter or inducement to relax. It flows gently, washing over your senses without intruding. But, unlike much of the music on the ambient market, "Classical Spirit" stands up to focused attention, too. Let the music hook your ear and follow the delicate, highly detailed textures of sound. Hone in on the nuances and marvel at the sophistication and workmanship. It intrigues and absorbs. It satisfies and uplifts. It soothes and entertains.
"Classical Spirit" is not for the classic music snob. But for those whose tastes stretch from Ludwig von Beethoven to Hildegard von Bingen and from Jean Michel Jarre to Enigma, there's a whole lot here to like.
by Tom Knapp, Rambles.NET editor"
Superlative chill-out music
cambridge39 | Canton, MA USA | 12/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Each of the ten tracks on the compact disc Classical Spirit is, as the back cover of the "jewel case" states, "an invitation to relax and allow your mind to wander on a new ambient path . . ." The recording is written, produced, arranged, performed and mixed by The Brave, whose Sacred Spirit II was nominated for a Grammy. The selections on Classical Spirit draw their inspiration from the works of classical composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Albinoni, Beethoven, and Samuel Barber, as well as from the mystical works of Hildegard von Bingen. But the selections are not merely updated versions of old melodies. Though inspired by the classical works, The Brave has created original works of art.In selection number 7, for example, based on an adagio of Albinoni, we first hear a prominent beat while the synthesizer plays a faint melody. The melody at times becomes more prominent than the beat. At times we hear a barely audible chorus but cannot make out the words (at least I couldn't!). There is some mild percussion. In many of the selections we hear a chorus, described in the accompanying notes as a "Russian choir." They sing sometimes in Latin, sometimes in German. Their focus is on producing a sort of background sound, not on communicating the words of the text. Susann Caroll recites poetry in a few of the tracks. We hear a guitar in one track.The effect of the music is soothing and uplifting, but it is never cloying. I would find the recording well suited for listening to at home late at night by candlelight if one were in a meditative mood. "This is chill-out music," says The Brave, who considers the recording suitable for taking to the beach, on a day after a party, "to regenerate your spirits."I recommend the recording highly. It is superlative "chill-out" music."
"rarely do we come across something so beautiful"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 01/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Higher Octave and The Brave open the path to journey's inside my mind with "Classical Spirit", the latest into the realm of the "Spirit Series". This release features chants, synthesizers beautiful arrangements of old composers (Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig von Beethoven and Samuel Barber) over the last few centuries. Rarely do we come across something so beautiful, we are transported by each delicate phrase in a way no other genre can touch. Each cue reaches the deepest level of emotion through melodies of long ago.This albums follows suit within the boundaries of past releases "Sacred Spirit", "Sacred Spirit II", "Indigo Spirit", Spiritual Spiritual" (B-Tribe), "Moroccan Spirit" and "Spirit of Silence"(Rose Moore) takes the listener on a more personal level within each haunting arrangement.Each cue is a highlight "DIVINE WORKS", opens the program of discovery beyond the intangible ~ "ADAGIO", by Samuel Barber gives us meaning of peace and loving reflection ~ "GLORIA DEO PATRI", mellow renditions flow within each tone, gorgeous melodies of violin blending a haunting theme ~ "SONATA NUMBER 14", the slow awesome sound of the organ, as Beethoven's theme breaks through the clouds, driving music that is never instrusive...providing the listener with a sense of being.Total Time: 48:15 on 10 Tracks ~ Higher Octave HOMCD-13138 ~ (1/28/2003)"
Interesting but leaves something to be desired
xpogi | WICHITA, KS USA | 04/17/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Yesterday I received this CD and I just don't know what to make of it. As a whole I find it to be pleasant addition to my Klaus Zundel (The Brave) library but for me it quite latterly leaves something to be desired. That something is consistency.As a classically trained musician with a background in the Roman Catholic tradition of choral music I find some sections completely inspired but others unsatisfying, even a little annoying. I don't consider myself a musical snob. I love classical or more correctly pre-classical music but my favorite recordings can be found in the New Age section. I own every Enya recording ever released, Four Constance Demby CDs and all five B-Tribe albums. With my classical background and my love for ethereal music "CLASSICAL SPIRIT" has the potential move Constance Demby's "NOVUS MAGNIFICAT" off the top of my favorites list but I doubt it will. While Demby weaves a seamless tapestry of ever-evolving space in "Novus" Zundel seems to move herky-jerky back and forth between the spiritual and the profane. I don't mind my "spiritual" music being sensual. In the B-Tribe albums Zundel does an excellent job of that but in this recording Zundel just seems to be a few mixing sessions short of continuity.As an example I don't believe I have ever heard such a touching opening to Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings which morphs into a spine-tingling Russian Chorale but as with two or three other selections on the recording just when the music reaches an emotional peak it is punctuated by cheesy electronic beeps and clicks that sound like R2D2 chirping away. For me it completely destroys the mood.I haven't finished with this album yet, far from it. I am curiously drawn to it and find parts of it awe inspiring. After I have played it about a dozen more times I will post another review at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/B-Tribe/ perhaps by then I will find order in the chaos. For now I sincerely wish Mr. Zundel would be truly "brave" and create a "pure classical" recording without the electronic mumbo-jumbo. I would love to hear an entire album built around his rendering of Barber's Adagio for Strings, sans R2D2."