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This is one of Vangelis' most daring and experimental pieces. Listeners that love Vangelis experimental side will love it, while listeners that like his new age side will be covering their ears.

On Beaubourg, Vangelis creates an abstract electronic tone poem. This is not unlike some of the work of other electronic composers of this time (late 70's), but is one of only two albums of this type of music that Vangelis has done. Listeners that like Stockhausen or Morton Subotnick will be right at home with Beaubourg.

Beaubourg is a city in France, but it's difficult to know if this piece is supposed to be inspired or paint a picture of the city. Vangelis is somewhat reclusive, and rarely talks about his work.

The music is very abstract, and sounds like Vangelis improvised it on several of his Yamaha CS-80's. It's expressive, in the extreme sense of the word. He uses dramatic transformations of the sounds throughout. The sound palette is fairly consistent, but Vangelis plays with tonality by playing recognizable melodies for a few moments, and then drifting off into distorted madness. Pure tones transform themselves into distorted, clangorous metallic noises.

Some sections sound very tonal and even melodious. These features quiet, plaintive melodies. Vangelis plays with tonality by playing recognizable melodies for a few moments, and then drifting off into distorted madness. Most of Beaubourg is less tonal, and more clangorous. Vangelis plays with the ring-modulator on the CS-80, which transforms simple tones into complex, metallic noises.

This music will sound foreign to the ears of listeners accustomed to Chariots of Fire or 1492. It's a must have for hardcore Vangelis fans. New listeners will want to try a few of his more accessible experimental pieces, though, like Heaven and Hell.

Vangelis

1/17/2004

Vangelis is one of the most acclaimed electronic musicians of all time. He has recorded a great variety of music over the last thirty years, won the academy award for musical score, composed hit songs, and written the scores for several ballets. Vangelis is best known for his music featured in the television show Cosmos, and his scores to movies. His scores include Chariots of Fire, The Bounty, and Blade Runner.

Synthtopia Reviews of Vangelis' Music

Vangelis - 1492 Conquest of Paradise

2/19/2004

Conquest of Paradise is a sumptious combination of orchestral electronica, folk melodies, choral vocals and renaissance influences.

Vangelis - Alexander Soundtrack

11/18/2004

Alexander, the soundtrack to the Oliver Stone biopic, features Vangelis at his best. It is a rousing score, a satisfying album, and a likely Oscar contender.

Vangelis - Beaubourg

12/7/2003

This is one of Vangelis' most daring and experimental pieces. Listeners that love Vangelis experimental side will love it, while listeners that like his new age side will be covering their ears.

Vangelis - Blade Runner

2/20/2004

Blade Runner is a science fiction classic, and it has a classic electronica score to go with it.

Vangelis - Chariots of Fire

1/18/2004

When Chariots of Fire was released in 1981, it came with a unique soundtrack by Vangelis. At that time, putting a soundtrack of electronic music on a period film was unheard of. The music worked, though, because of the simple, beautiful melodies and the way Vangelis used synthesizers in an orchestral way.

Vangelis - China

12/6/2003

If you're interested in a real fusion of Chinese and western musics, this isn't it. But if you like the music of Vangelis, China is work from one of his creative peaks.

Vangelis - Direct

1/17/2004

This 1988 Vangelis CD is a bridge between the symphonic electronica sound that Vangelis made popular in the eighties and is current, more dense orchestral sound. Direct is a mixture of electronica, new age, space music, and folk sounds, mixed together in the unique style of Vangelis.

Vangelis - Heaven and Hell

1/3/2004

This 1975 recording is the first time Vangelis fully realized his lush orchestral style. The music contrasts images of heaven and hell. After nearly 30 years, it holds up as a classic of electronic music.

Vangelis - Oceanic

4/18/2004

Oceanic is a collection of tone poems with Ocean themes. On this 1996 release, Vangelis creates a soothing 50 minute journey through deep oceanic spaces, sounding a bit like a Hearts of Space show. The new age music showcases his wonderful ear for melodies and lush synthetic orchestration, but does not have the edge or sense of experimentation that marks his best work.

Vangelis - Opera Sauvage

11/22/2003

Vangelis' Opera Sauvage is one of the classics of popular electronic music.

Vangelis - See You Later

1/3/2004

This CD is one of the strangest that Vangelis has ever created. The music is the soundtrack to a dystopian future, or maybe just the ugly side of the present. This cult record is not for the new age fans, but Blade Runner freaks and people who like the darker side of electronic music will find a lot to like.

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