Dawn Of A New Century

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Editorial reviews

From Amazon.com
Secret Garden's formula is plain to hear. They have the lush string orchestrations of Yanni, the layered vocals of Clannad and Enya, and the stage-show Celtica of Riverdance. In the past these elements have weighed down the music of Irish violinist Fionuala Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland with a sweetness that would make tiramisu taste like poi. On Dawn of a New Century, they finally dance closer to the line that divides schlock from serenity, beauty from the banal. Capercaillie singer Karen Matheson gives a haunting vocal performance on "Prayer," surrounded by Clannad-like harmonies. "Children of the River" is a cinematic expanse with Asian overtones, while "Lore of the Loom" swoops through orchestral landscapes that could be Ireland or Norway. But there's also the hokey faux-Baroque of "Divertimento" and the title piece, which could stand in for "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." --John Diliberto

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Customer reviews

review by: bakerdj1 date: 2004-03-14 rating:
Superb, moving, atmospheric music
Secret Garden are unfortunately a secret that few too many people know about - they won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997 for Norway and that should put 99% of the population off. However, listen to it without preconceptions. This is simply the best album I have in my collection built up over the last 40 years. The instrumentation is sublime, always sincere and somehow humble, belonging almost to a different time. The occasionally use of the vocal group Anuna is very effective and moving especially in the sad In Our Tears, written following the loss of a friend - see this performed on their DVD and not be moved. The final track is the longest and most poignant, looking towards the start of a new century with optimism urging us to look to learn from lessons of the past - but this was before 9.11. This album is just amazing and all the more remarkable because of a serious injury to Fionnuala.


review by: date: 2001-05-13 rating:
Wonderful and romantic music.
I have always interested at everything the duo 'Secret Garden' has done since they won the Eurovision Song Contest a few years ago. On this album, the third one, you will find wonderful and romantic music. The song 'Dona Nobis Pacem' does not appear on my CD, which I bought in Norway, with 13 tracks. If you enjoy Celtic-influenced songs you will love 'Evensong', which is one of my favourite ones, together with 'Prayer', 'Children of the River' and 'Dawn of a New Century'. I would highlight the violin and the gentle guitar that create beautifully soothing music. I think this is their best album, a different form of new age through emotionally moving songs, slow and fast, with some vocals. Fast songs are the best ones. Some tracks, especially slow ones, may seem a bit monotonous to you because they sound similar. If you decide to buy it, it will be a very good choice.

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