May 102013
Songs From a Secret Garden
- SECRET GARDEN SONGS FROM A SECRET GARDEN
SECRET GARDEN SONGS FROM A SECRET GARDENPicture a square with Clannad, pianist David Lanz, Mannheim Steamroller, and the musicians of Riverdance at its corners. Somewhere within those stylistic borders you will encounter the European duo Secret Garden. The popular twosome–Irish violinist Fionnuala (fi-NOO-la) Sherry and Norwegian pianist/keyboardist Rolf Lovland–have attracted a sizable following with their heart-touching specialty: a wistful, violin-rooted, pop-folk-classical melange that oft
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A relaxing, soulful journey through your own secret garden..,
I first heard “Songs from a Secret Garden” playing in a music store eight years ago, and I was entranced from the very first note. The music was a blend of classical, Celtic and Norwegian, a stunning combination of piano, violin, orchestra and voice. It was unlike anything I’d ever heard before: deeply moving, relaxing, meditative, a journey to a secret garden, perfect music for reflection on a rainy day.
Secret Garden is made up of Norwegian composer Rolf Lovland on piano and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry. They have since released four other CDs: “White Stones,” “Dawn of a New Century,” “Dreamcatcher” (a best-of compilation taken from the first three releases), and “Once in a Red Moon,” but for me “Songs from a Secret Garden” remains their masterpiece. It is by turns gentle, romantic, melancholy, playful and joyous. There is a Celtic element on some of the songs (“Sigma,” with an Irish-language chorus and a boy soprano, “The Rap,”), but it is not as marked as their later releases, which to me sound like Riverdance imitations and have lost all of the “Secret Garden” magic for me. “Nocturne” features the stunning vocals of Gunnhild Tvinnereim, and this was the song that first catapulted Secret Garden to fame (it won the 1995 Eurovision song contest for Norway). My other favourite songs from the collection are “Songs from a Secret Garden” and “Sigma.”
(I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of the sheet music to “Songs from a Secret Garden” and I play selections from it every day. The foreword is in English and Norwegian, and there are additional notes by Rolf regarding performance tips and inspirations behind the songs. If you play piano, this is a worthy investment for a Secret Garden fan. The collection features all thirteen songs from “Songs from a Secret Garden” and is available at their official website at http://www.secretgarden.no)
This is still a very popular album even though it was released in 1994: it is one of BMG Music Club’s top-selling classical CDs, Barbara Streisand did a cover of “Heartstrings” for her wedding, adding lyrics and renaming it “I’ve Dreamed of You,” and some of my favourite places in Québec City use “Songs from a Secret Garden” as background music (Aux Anciens Canadiens, 34 Rue Saint-Louis, Domaine Steinbach, 2205, chemin Royal
Saint-Pierre de l’Île d’Orléans).
This is the only CD I reach for after a long day. The stress just melts away and my spirits are lifted instantly. “Songs from a Secret Garden” is perfect for anyone seeking a quiet moment in their lives, a moment to reflect, dream, love, and explore their own secret garden.
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Solitude and Tranquility,
This CD never fails to relax me after a lousy day at work. It is always soothing, not one harsh note or jarring moment. Even the more up-tempo “The Rap”, the only really lively tune on the album, is a joyful celebration of life.
When I was choosing a selection of CDs to play during my son’s waterbirth, I didn’t hesitate to include this one for its calming, gentle sounds to help both my wife and myself to relax. Jonathan was introduced to the world with the beautiful strains of Secret Garden.
This is soul food. If you need to let it all out, this is the music.
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Excellent Production with Haunting Melodies,
After hearing “Nocturne” on a local classical station I knew I HAD to pick this CD up. “Nocturne” is such an incredible acheivement, and being a songwriter myself, wish I could write something half as good. With Rolf Lovland on piano and Fionnuala Sherry on violin, the music to this song makes me weep with joy. Gunnhild Tvinnereim, the featured vocalist on “Nocturne”, has one of the purest voices I have ever heard. The rest of the CD is almost as beautiful, and has the underpinings of both Norwegian and Celtic culture. Many times, listening to this fabulous music, I can picture myself on a cliff overlooking the wide, expansive Atlantic ocean, and each song brings to mind a different atmosphere to become part of.
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