CDSMC-10018
| Composer /// Violaine Corradi |
3 Disc Set |
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Varekai means "wherever" in the Romany language of the gypsies, the
universal wanderers. Experience the sounds and song that pay tribute
to the nomadic soul, the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and
to the infinite passion of those whose quest takes them along the path
that leads to the absurd and extraordinary world of Cirque du Soleil's
Varekai: Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an
extraordinary world - a world where anything is possible. This album
is a 3-disc special edition, which includes the previously released
soundtrack, a second disc of live tracks and remixes, and a Bonus
DVD!
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[ Track List •
Liner Notes •
CD Review •
Release History ]
Disc 1: Disc 2: Bonus
01: "Aureus".............. (1:16) 01: "Célébration"......... (1:30)
02: "Rain One"............ (3:37) 02: "Trasparenza"......... (5:28)
03: "Le Rêveur"........... (7:06) 03: "Euphoria"............ (7:02)
04: "Vocea"............... (5:00) 04: "Sun Drum Fun"........ (5:30)
05: "Moon Licht".......... (6:21) 05: "Mutationis".......... (7:13)
06: "Rubeus".............. (1:28) 06: "Movimento"........... (4:41)
07: "Patzivota"........... (7:50) 07: "El Pendulo"(*)....... (4:33)
08: "El Péndulo".......... (4:53) 08: "Emballa"(*).......... (5:47)
09: "Gitans".............. (3:41)
10: "Kèro Hiréyo"......... (7:06) Run Time | 40:14
11: "Infinitus"........... (1:32)
12: "Lubia Dobarstan"..... (4:40) Disc 3: DVD Bonus
13: "Emballa"............. (5:08) 01: "Rebeus - Patzivota"
14: "Oscillum"............ (4:35) 02: "Moon Licht"
15: "Funambul"............ (2:43)
16: "Resolution".......... (2:24)
Run Time | 69:21
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From the Composer - Violaine Corradi {
Read }
One dreams that the World would be flooding us with beauty. One dream that the
Magical Forest would be embodying all our hopes. One dream that music would give us
vertigo and a taste of freedom, wherever.... VAREAKI!
- Violaine Corradi
From the Producer - Nitin Sawhney {
Read }
Cirque du Soleil is far more than mere entertainment. It is an expression of the
depths of human perseverance, emotion and beauty. To see a Cirque show is to witness
a spectacular metaphor of the bittersweet struggle of life and the co-existence of
joy with melancholy. Varekai, through the redemption of a fallen angel, is a deeply
poetic expression of spirit and warmth and I have endeavoured to capture this in the
sounds, orchestration and arrangment of this album. It is a testimony to the beauty
of Violaine's melodies that this has been such an exhilarating process.
From the Director - Dominic Champagne {
Read }
Since these are crazy times and it is our duty not to surrender the world into
the hands of fools, may this show be for you as it has been for me a celebration of
the coming together of brothers and sisters and of the joy of challenging limits.
Thanks {
Read }
The Cirque du Soleil Musique team wishes to thank: the singers and musicians on
the Varekai tour; Andrew Watson, Dominic Champagne, Nicolette Naum, Claude Chaput,
Michel Cyr, François Bergeron, Véronique Ricard, Renae Stewart, Karla Avelar-Martinez,
Carol Ryan, Pierre Nantel and the Cirque du Soleil Images team. A special thank you to
Kathleen Joan Gagné, Bruno Guez, André Morasse, Neil Storey.
Violaine Corradi: For their talent, their passion and their generosity, I would
like to thank all of those who contributed from near or far to the realization of the
dream that is Varekai. I give special thanks to Guy Laliberté for his confidence and
burning visionary perspective, and to Andrew Watson and Dominic Champagne for their
valuable support support throughout this creative odyssey.
Nitin Sawhney: Nitin thanks Guy Laliberté and everyone in the Cirque family;
Violaine Corradi; Patti Nolder and the staff at Sphere Studios; Halima Lone, Shazia
Nizam, Stephen Brackman and Karen Crofton at BCLLP; Nitin Sawhney Management –
Neil Storey at Storeys.
Recorded between July and September 2002 at: Spheré Studios, London; Phase One Recordings,
Toronto; Studio Piccolo, Montréal; Spirit Dance Studios, London.
Engineering and Mixing — nitin sawheny & david mcewan
// Recording Engineer (London & Toronto) — dean barratt
// Additional Recording Engineers — george seara, Phase One Recordings;
antoine jobin, Studio Piccolo
Compiled and Mastered in high definition at 96 kHz sampling rate
by — nitin sawhney
All tracks published by Créations Méandres Inc., except Auteus, Raine One, Le Reveur,
Moon Licht, Rubeus, Infinitus, et de Funambul (Créations Méandres Inc., Zomba Music
Publishers Ltd. & Reverb XL); El Péndulo and Emballa (Créations Méandres Inc., Zomba
Music Publishers Ltd.).
Members of The English Chamber Orchestra appear courtesy Quintin Ballardie MBE, Pauline
Gukbertson & Charlotte Templeman; Steve Shehan appears courtesy Safar Productions et
Editions; Chandru appears courtesy of Bollywood Strings, London; Taraf de Haidouks appear
courtesy of Urban Soul Orchestra; London Voices appear courtesy Terry Edwards; Natacha
Atlas appears courtest Beggars Banquet / Mantra Recordings; Nitin Sawhney appears
courtesy V2 Music.
[ Read More ]
Steve Shehan plays Toca drums, Paiste cymbals & gongs, Vic Firth sticks & Remo drums.
Members of The English Chamber Orchestra == Violin —
benjamin buckton, susie candalin, rona murray, jake rea,
alison dods, fiona mcnaught;
// Viola — duncan ferguson, martin humbey, clare finnimore;
// Cello — josephine knight, lionel handy;
// Double Bass — stephen williams
London Voices == Director — terry edwards;
// Sopranos — sarah eyden, rosiland waters;
// Tenors — gerard O'beirne, james edwards;
// Mezzo-Sopranos — deryn edwards, susan marrs;
// Basses — mark williams, terry edwards
The Varekai Choir == zara tellander, mathieu lavoie, rafik samman,
brigitte poudrier, wayne hankin.
Produced and Arranged by — nitin sawhney for Positive-id Ltd.
// Producer — cirque du soleil musique inc.
// Executive Producers — carol ryan, pierre nantel
// Director of Creation, Music — bruno guez
// Production Coordination — véronique ricard
// Photographers — jean-françois gratton, véronique vial
// Art Direction — pierre desmarais
// Graphic Design and Graphics — michel dalpé
Show Written and Directed by — dominic champagne
Bonus CD - Production Notes {
Read }
Recorded live under the Big Top, Toronto, 2002
All songs composed by Violaine Corradi except "Mutations";
Lyrics by Hélène Dorion, Music by Violaine Corradi.
Band Leader, Keyboards — michel cyr
/ Vocals — zara tellander, mathieu lavoie
/ Bass — richard drouin
/ Drums — paul j. bannerman
/ Keyboards — brigitte poudrier
/ Percussions — rafik samman
/ Violin — carmen piculeata
/ Wind Instruments — wayne hankin
Recording — tony alington
/ Assisted by — marchel gouin, Karisma Audio Mixage
/ Mixed, Edited and Mastered by — toby arlington, Richmond Studios Limited
Remixes:
El Péndulo – Fenomenon "Northern Comfort Mix"
Written by — violaine corradi
// Spoken Voice Park Written by — nitin sawhney
// Remix and Additional Production by — kay brets & hobie rosenberg
// Piano Solo by — trond tellefsen
// Recorded at Oceanlab, Stavanger, Norway 2002.
// From the Cirque du Soleil Remix CD: TAPIS ROUGE Solarium
Emballa – Llorca Remix
Written by — violaine corradi, nitin sawhney
// Lyrics by — violaine corradi, nina rocha miranda
and tina grace
// Remix by — ludovic llorca
// Additional Guitars by — stefane goldman
// Exclusive bonus remix track.
Mastering — don tyler, Precision Mastering, LLC
// Additional Mastering for the entire Bonus CD — george grave, The Lacquer Channel.
Bonus DVD - Production Notes {
Read }
Images and Visual Mix by — marc silver
and nick hillel, Yeast Visuals
// Rebus Written by — violaine corradi
// Spoken Voice Written by — terry callier, nitin sawhney, tina grace
// Patzivota Written by — violaine corradi
// Moon Licht Written by — violaine corradi
// Spoken Voice Written by — hélene dorion, terry callier, nitin sawhney, tina grace
// Recording Engineer — dean barratt
// Stereo Mix by — david mcewan
and nitin sawhney
// 5.1 Mix by — david mcewan
// Assisted by — dean barratt, Sphere Studios, London
// Mastered by — simon gibson, at Abbey Road Studios, London.
- AUREUS - { Credit }
- Previously listed as part of "Rain One"
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voice Part Written by – Terry Callier, Nitin Sawhney, Tina Grace
- Arrangement - Nitin Sawhney
- Keyboards - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voices: Terry Callier, Tina Grace
- RAIN ONE - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Lyrics by – Tina Grace, Hélène Dorion.
- Spoken Voice Part Written by – Terry Callier, Nitin Sawhney, Tina Grace
- Keyboards – Violaine Corradi
- Keyboard and Programming – Nitin Sawhney
- Vocals – Tina Grace
- Soprano Voice – Tara Harrison
- Spoken Voices – Terry Callier, Tina Grace
- Brushes; Floor-Tom, Fire-Crackle; Cymbals, Chimes, Bowed Bells & Gongs – Steve Shehan
- LE REVEUR - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi, Nitin Sawhney
- Spoken Part Written by - Hélène Dorion
- Keyboard and Programming – Nitin Sawhney
- Vocals – Natacha Atlas, Mathieu Lavoie
- Spoken Voice – Terry Callier, Mathieu Lavoie
- Djembés; Ocean Drum; Floor-Tom; Darbuka; Cymbals, Chimes, Bowed Bells & Gongs – Steve Shehan
- VOCEA - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Programming, String & Choral Arrangements – Nitin Sawhey
- Strings & Choir Orchestrated, Scored & Conducted – Stephen Hussey
- Vocals – Zara Tellander
- Violin – Carmen Piculeata
- Djembés; Cymbals, Chimes, Bowed Bells & Gongs; Sagates & Floor-Tom – Steve Shehan
- Members of the English Chamber Orchestra
- Singers – London Voices
- MOON LICHT - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voice Part Written by – Hélène Dorion, Terry Callier, Nitin Sawhney, Tina Grace
- Keyboards, Programming & String Arrangements – Nitin Sawhey
- Strings Orchestrated, Scored & Conducted – Stephen Hussey
- Vocals – Natacha Atlas
- Soprano Voice – Tara Harrison
- Spoken Voice – Mathieu Lavoie, Tina Grace
- Duduk & Flute – Didier Malherbe
- Accordion – Igor Outkine
- Djembés; Clay Pots, Congas, Angklung, Balais, Resanators, Caxixi, Floor-Tom, Cymbals,
Chimes, Bowed Bells & Gongs – Steve Shehan
- Members of the English Chamber Orchestra
- RUBEUS - { Credit }
- Previously listed as part of "Patzivota"
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voice Part Written by – Terry Callier, Nitin Sawhney, Tina Grace
- Arrangement - Nitin Sawhney
- Keyboards - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voices: Terry Callier, Tina Grace
- PATZIVOTA - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voice Part Written by – Terry Callier, Nitin Sawhney, Tina Grace
- Spoken Voices – Terry Callier, Tina Grace
- Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney
- Keyboards – Violaine Corradi
- Keyboards & String Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney
- Programming – Nitin Sawhey, David McEwan
- Strings Orchestrated, Scored & Conducted – Stephen Hussey
- Vocals – Mathieu Lavoie
- Whispered Voice – Polly Thomson-Storey
- Bansuri – Didier Malherbe
- Djembés; Balaphone; Ocean Drum, Afuche & Floor-Tom – Steven Shehan
- Members of the English Chamber Orchestra
- Singers – The Varekai Choir
- EL PENDULO - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voice Part Written by – Nitin Sawhney
- Keyboards & String Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney
- Programming – Nitin Sawhney, David McEwan
- Strings Orchestrated, Scored & Conducted – Stephen Hussey
- Vocals – Zara Tellander, Natacha Atlas, Mathieu Lavoie
- Spoken Voices – Terry Callier
- Shakers; Ambient Effects; Cymbals; Chimes; Bowed Bells & Gongs – Steve Shehan
- Members of the English Chamber Orchestra
- GITANS - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Part Written by - Hélène Dorion
- Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney, Taraf de Haidouks
- Keyboards, Programming & String Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney
- Strings Orchestrated, Scored & Conducted – Stephen Hussey
- Spoken Voice – Mathieu Lavoie
- Language Coach – Karla Avelar-Martinez
- Solo Violin – Chandru, Carmen Piculeata
- Indonesian Shakers; Triangle, Angklung & Floor-Tom – Steve Shehan
- Cimbalon – Cristinel Tarurica
- Accordion – Ionel Manole, Igor Outkine
- Double Bass – Ion Tanase
- Violin – Constantine Lautaru
- Members of the English Chamber Orchestra
- HERO HIREYO - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Keyboards, Programming & Vocal Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney
- String Arrangement – Violaine Corradi
- Strings Orchestrated, Scored & Conducted – Stephen Hussey
- Vocals – Zara Tellander, Mathieu Lavoie
- Djembés; Ocean Drum; Castagnettes; Floor-Tom; Cymbales, Chimes, Bowed Bells & Gongs – Steven Shehan
- Members of the English Chamber Orchestra
- Singers – London Voices
- INFINITUS - { Credit }
- Previously listed as part of "Lubia Dobarstan"
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voice Part Written by – Terry Callier, Nitin Sawhney, Tina Grace
- Arrangement - Nitin Sawhney
- Keyboards - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voices: Terry Callier, Tina Grace
- LUBIA DOBARSTAN - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Part Written by - Hélène Dorion, Terry Callier, Nitin Sawhney, Tina Grace
- Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney
- Keyboards – Violaine Corradi
- Programming – Nitin Sawhney
- Vocals – Mathieu Lavoie, Zara Tellander
- Guitar & Palmas – Marcial Heredia Fernandez
- Violin – Chandru, Carmen Piculeata
- Djembés; Ocean Drum; Shakers & Dabuka – Steven Shehan
- Jew's Harp – Wayne Hankin
- Accordion – Ionel Manole
- Cimbalon – Cristinel Tarturica
- Double Bass – Ion Tanase
- Spoken Voices – Terry Callier, Tina Grace
- EMBALLA - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi, Nitin Sawhney
- Lyrics by - Violaine Corradi, Nina Rocha Miranda and Tina Grace
- Keyboards, Programming & String Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney
- Strings Orchestrated, Scored & Conducted – Stephen Hussey
- Vocals – Tina Grace. Mathieu Lavoie
- Vocals & Rap – Nina Rocha Miranda
- Background Voices – Marcial Heredia Fernandez, Mathieu Lavoie, Tina Grace, Nina Rocha Miranda
- Guitar – Marcial Herdia Fernandez
- Violin – Carmen Piculeata
- Brushes, Conjonga, Conga & Talking Drums, Clay Pots & Sargates – Steve Shehan
- Members of the English Chamber Orchestra
- OSCILLUM - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Progamming – Nitin Sawhney, David McEwan
- Spoken Voice – Tina Grace
- Guitar – Marcial Herdia Fernandez
- Duduk – Didier Malherbe
- Djembés; Tambors; Ocean Drum; Floor-Tom & Resonators – Steve Shehan
- Vocals sampled from “Ghazal”, Poem of Manulana Kausar Niazi. An except
from: Pakistan, Music of the Qawal, UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music of the World.
- FUNAMBUL - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Spoken Voice Part Written by – Terry Callier, Nitin Sawhney, Tina Grace
- Keyboards, Programming & Vocal Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney
- London Voices, Scored & Conducted – Stephen Hussey
- Vocals – Zara Tellander
- Spoken Voices – Terry Callier, Tina Grace
- Singers – London Voices & The Varekai Choir
- RESOLUTION - { Credit }
- Written by - Violaine Corradi
- Arrangement – Nitin Sawhney, Taraf de Haidouks
- Cimbalon – Cristinel Tarturica
- Accordion – Ionel Manole, Igor Outkine
- Double Bass – Ion Tanase
- Violin – Constantine Lautaru
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Text by: Keith Johnson | October 2003
Fascination! Newsletter, Issue #26 ///
{ Read }
"VAREKAI: The 'Bonus CD & DVD' Soundtrack Package"
(Cirque du Soleil Musique #503805, 2003, 3 disks, $25.00)
Soon after the release of the "soundtrack" to Varekai, Cirque started
to feel pressure from fans who were concerned that Nitin Sahwney's
production of Violaine Corradi's music was too radical a departure
from the shows "real" music. So much so that they created a Music FAQ
in which they hinted that they were considering releasing a "live" EP
from the show. Finally, this product has seen the light of day.
The CD is only available through Cirque's Boutique. We don't know how
many have been produced, or how limited an edition it might become.
It includes the previously released soundtrack , a second disk of live
tracks and remixes, and a "Bonus DVD" that turns out to be the
delightful surprise of the bunch. The CD's are housed in a tri-panel
fold-out CD cover with excellent layout and graphics. It's a very
cool package to look at. But what about the material itself?
DISK ONE - The "soundtrack." The full soundtrack is found here, but
has been re-indexed to give the three narrated "interludes" their own
track numbers and names (Aureus, Rubeus, and Infinitus respectively).
This separates the narrative bits from Rain One, Patzivota, and Lubia
Dobarstan, allowing these tracks to stand on their own. I have to say
I appreciate Cirque doing this, and it should have been done with the
initial release. In my case I now have the pleasure of fast-
forwarding past Mr. "I Walk....The Earth" when I listen to the CD.
(Note also that the booklet has been slightly reformatted and updated,
with several small musician credit changes.)
[ Read More ]
DISK TWO - Live tracks and remixes. I was really looking forward to
this part of the set. Back in Feb., when Paul Roberts and I "debated"
the Varekai soundtrack, we talked about what songs we might want
should a special "Live" EP ever be released. We both agreed that the
music missing from the soundtrack would be first on our lists.
And, surprise, our wishes have been fulfilled! On this CD they've
"filled in the blanks" with, in order, music from the "Overture"
celebration, Acrobatic Pas de Deux, Icarian Games, Body Skating,
Handbalancing on Canes, and Georgian Dance. And full-length versions
of each, a bonus!
Cirque du Soleil KNOWS how to make good "Live" CD's. Witness "Mystere
Live." Also witness the two bonus tracks on the Quidam re-release.
In both cases the audiences are present but don't intrude on the
music. Sadly, the mix here is not up to that caliber. In addition to
the expected applause between each number, the music is interrupted
several times during each song as the audience applauds a performing
artist. This drives me crazy! Since I'm not watching the show, I
have *no idea* what they're applauding. Unlike some who suggest this
type of mix takes them back to watching the show, I feel this takes me
out of the music which is what I'm supposed to be concentrating on.
At times it almost drowns out the music. I don't have a problem with
it between songs, it's applause for no reason during the music that
bugs me. So I must admit I'm really let down by this.
But I think I have an explanation for it. In another "path of least
resistance (and cost)" action, this music is the same one heard on the
DVD. The same performances, mix, even where the audience applauds.
Except, not exactly. I know it's confusing, but the music for
Georgian Dance and Body Skating is actually longer than the music on
the DVD! I think this is because this CD was mastered with a master
sound mix done before final edits were made to the DVD. In the case
of these two acts, some edits were made near the end of the process,
and the music was re-cut to match the edits. So, in a way, you're
getting more than the DVD, but in a way less than I was hoping for.
But wait, there's more! Appended to the end of the disk are two
remixes, which the packaging suggests come from "Solarium." But while
"El Pendulo-Fenomenon Northern Comfort Mix" does appear on "Solarium",
the other remix "Emballa-Llorca Remix" does not!
And it's too bad, because this is a great remix. Done by Ludovic
Llorca with additional guitars by Stefane Goldman, this 5:47 mix cooks
from the get-go with a very heavy danceable rhythm. In typical "disco
mix" style, it takes a while to build and break down, so it takes some
time to get to the "meat" of the song. But it's a fun ride, bringing
out the flamenco elements of the mix, while adding an ascending
structure of rising chords to the chorus. Come to think of it, this
is too danceable to be on "Solarium." Though I'm disappointed by the
intrusive audience noise of the live tracks, this remix redeems the
Bonus CD for me.
DISK THREE - Bonus DVD. That's right, we're not through yet! This
"Bonus DVD" is a further enhancement of what Cirque first tried to do
for the Quidam soundtrack, with extra multimedia content. In addition
to the first six minutes of "Making of an Angel" (available in full on
the Varekai DVD) and some promos, we get two "Video Remixes" in 5.1
Dolby Digital Surround Sound, a first for Cirque.
Now here we have some great stuff! The visuals here have been mixed
by Marc Silver and Nick Hillel of Yeast Visuals, and are very spacey.
The Surround Sound mix by David McEwan (who mixed the original
soundtrack with Nitin Sawhney) opens the music up fabulously,
enveloping you within it.
The first track, Rubeus-Patzivota (7:49 - the "wedding theme") focuses
on images of nature with time-lapse images of modern life, juxtaposed
against the beauty of musicians and Cirque acts. The music starts
with a toy piano-like sound that pans between the rear speakers, then
explodes around you with voices and instruments nicely placed around
the room.
It's accompanied by Moon Licht (6:17 - Handbalancing), which focuses
on Icarus and Olga and their respective acts. This video includes a
lot of processing, with another wonderful surround mix. At times
you'll see segments of the acts, then flash on musicians playing
instruments, then a pixilated image of a singer singing. Very spacey.
In both cases, these are wonderful, trippy surprises, and are
delightful. From the looks of this I strongly suggest to Cirque they
think of putting out a remix DVD with surround remixes of their music.
Move beyond "Solarium" and give me more of this, please!
So is this special 3-CD set worth your hard-earned money? The live
tracks are nice to have on CD, though they really should have been
remixed and the audience applause reduced. Yet the set does have some
nice finds in three nifty remixes. I'd have to say this set makes a
nice collectible despite the live tracks faults. If you've already
bought the soundtrack, give it to some friend interested in Dead Can
Dance or Enigma, they'll love it. Get your hands on this and turn up
your home video system, you're in for a treat. My score 7 out of 10.
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BMG Canada {2002-2003}
Released: October 1, 2003 (CAN)
Cirque du Soleil Musique {2004+}
Released: none
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