If people can do reviews (short ones mind you) about popular music or movies why not an opera?
Alexander Nevsky was the Grand Prince of Novgorod and Vladimir during one of the more trying times in Russia (the Germans were attacking). Nevsky landed himself into the books of legend and history through his many military victories over the invading Germans.
This opera no doubt was written as a tribute to what Nevsky accomplished. While I cannot say that I have seen the opera with my own eyes I do however have the music to it and it is astounding!
The opera itself starts out quiet/harsh tone to which it develops into a slight mournful tone but as the opera progresses into the next piece it gains a rather cheerful tone to it. This piece of the opera is entitled "Song about Alexander Nevsky" thusly giving a heroic tone to the beginning of the song transforming into what I would say would be men in a tavern talking (well more singing) about how great Nevsky is.
The next piece involves a sort of terror as the Germans begin to attack Russia. The Basses and Horns do a great job of picturing terror and doom as the Germans get closer and eventually take Poskov. At the 1:20 mark or so it gather into the prequel of the climax song "The Battle on the Ice" (Which I would like to remind those who played LittleBIGPlanet "The Battle on the Ice plays while you fight the collector). Before they can battle however Nevsky must rally the Russians in "Arise, Ye Russian people". The song itself portrays Nevsky speaking to the masses asking if they will die for their country as Aragorn does to the people of Gondor.
"The Battle on the Ice" is deserving of its own paragraph not only due to its length but to how amazing it is. "The Battle on the Ice" starts off in a quiet suspense with the strings making quick sharp notes leading into woodwinds starting a cord de-progression. The horns start off quietly gaining power in a omnipresent danger as the Germans arrive for the battle. Trumpets add power to start the battle with them battling the strings. Eventually the strings seem to gain power with the cohior beginning their chorious. This epic battle of strings and brass continues to great lengths untill the 3:42 mark where pounding percussion joins the fray esclating the already amazing battle. Frantic choir and band panic rages until the trumpets come in with a heroic chord progression.
Around the 5:13 mark the choir hits a high point with a full choir "solo" untill the 6:16 mark when a joyus break hits played beautifly by the strings and trumpits. Woodwinds and brass give a heroic tune untill the strings cut them short in a growing quiet hero insuing thing (you just have to hear this part). The band breaks to more battle at the 8:10 mark but it is in the Russians favor now. The theme stays constant until 8:40 where the song finally starts the ending chords with pounding drums in the background giving the feeling that the Germans wont go down with out a fight but the eventually do. The song ends not in a victorious way but in a sad "Thank God that this is now over" way.
"Field of the Dead"... Sort of explains itself doesn't it. This song continues with the solemn feeling of dread of so many friends lost in this great battle for Russia. A choir woman give a sad song to all those lost in the battle. The full orchestra cuts in at a few moments to add a small swell to her beautiful singing. At 4:30 everything seems to grow only to fall immediately adding a punch to the scene of death and destruction.
In "Alexanders Entry to Poskov" gives a grand choir opening of victory and happiness that finally they can rest easy that the Germans have been pushed out of the Mother Land. Percussion, Woodwinds, Strings, and the woman's choir gives a pleasant jump to the music. The song gives up to the battle music for a moment suggesting Nevsky is telling his stories to the people, the battle music is much more plesant though. The finally of the song and opera is something you would expect out of John Williams with strong chords backed by moving percussion lines, and powerful brass notes.
All in all I give this Opera my highest recommendation. It can be found in the iTunes Store slapped with 2 other full operas I have yet to review.
Comments? If you see any errors please let me know via PM so I can fix them post haste.
Alexander Nevsky was the Grand Prince of Novgorod and Vladimir during one of the more trying times in Russia (the Germans were attacking). Nevsky landed himself into the books of legend and history through his many military victories over the invading Germans.
This opera no doubt was written as a tribute to what Nevsky accomplished. While I cannot say that I have seen the opera with my own eyes I do however have the music to it and it is astounding!
The opera itself starts out quiet/harsh tone to which it develops into a slight mournful tone but as the opera progresses into the next piece it gains a rather cheerful tone to it. This piece of the opera is entitled "Song about Alexander Nevsky" thusly giving a heroic tone to the beginning of the song transforming into what I would say would be men in a tavern talking (well more singing) about how great Nevsky is.
The next piece involves a sort of terror as the Germans begin to attack Russia. The Basses and Horns do a great job of picturing terror and doom as the Germans get closer and eventually take Poskov. At the 1:20 mark or so it gather into the prequel of the climax song "The Battle on the Ice" (Which I would like to remind those who played LittleBIGPlanet "The Battle on the Ice plays while you fight the collector). Before they can battle however Nevsky must rally the Russians in "Arise, Ye Russian people". The song itself portrays Nevsky speaking to the masses asking if they will die for their country as Aragorn does to the people of Gondor.
"The Battle on the Ice" is deserving of its own paragraph not only due to its length but to how amazing it is. "The Battle on the Ice" starts off in a quiet suspense with the strings making quick sharp notes leading into woodwinds starting a cord de-progression. The horns start off quietly gaining power in a omnipresent danger as the Germans arrive for the battle. Trumpets add power to start the battle with them battling the strings. Eventually the strings seem to gain power with the cohior beginning their chorious. This epic battle of strings and brass continues to great lengths untill the 3:42 mark where pounding percussion joins the fray esclating the already amazing battle. Frantic choir and band panic rages until the trumpets come in with a heroic chord progression.
Around the 5:13 mark the choir hits a high point with a full choir "solo" untill the 6:16 mark when a joyus break hits played beautifly by the strings and trumpits. Woodwinds and brass give a heroic tune untill the strings cut them short in a growing quiet hero insuing thing (you just have to hear this part). The band breaks to more battle at the 8:10 mark but it is in the Russians favor now. The theme stays constant until 8:40 where the song finally starts the ending chords with pounding drums in the background giving the feeling that the Germans wont go down with out a fight but the eventually do. The song ends not in a victorious way but in a sad "Thank God that this is now over" way.
"Field of the Dead"... Sort of explains itself doesn't it. This song continues with the solemn feeling of dread of so many friends lost in this great battle for Russia. A choir woman give a sad song to all those lost in the battle. The full orchestra cuts in at a few moments to add a small swell to her beautiful singing. At 4:30 everything seems to grow only to fall immediately adding a punch to the scene of death and destruction.
In "Alexanders Entry to Poskov" gives a grand choir opening of victory and happiness that finally they can rest easy that the Germans have been pushed out of the Mother Land. Percussion, Woodwinds, Strings, and the woman's choir gives a pleasant jump to the music. The song gives up to the battle music for a moment suggesting Nevsky is telling his stories to the people, the battle music is much more plesant though. The finally of the song and opera is something you would expect out of John Williams with strong chords backed by moving percussion lines, and powerful brass notes.
All in all I give this Opera my highest recommendation. It can be found in the iTunes Store slapped with 2 other full operas I have yet to review.
Comments? If you see any errors please let me know via PM so I can fix them post haste.