"Talk To Aljazeera" interview now online

After this morning's first broadcast of the "Talk to Aljazeera" interview with Vangelis, the entire program has now been made available on its web page:
www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2012/01/201211895013885489.html

The interview comes with some 90 seconds of compiled footage from the concert, including audio from Chariots of Fire (as it was performed) and a small excerpt from "Hope".

[Updated: 22 January 2012, 15:08 CET] It is now also available on YouTube on this NEW URL address. The interview is also embedded below:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K0kiYSStZM

Vangelis interview on Aljazeera

This weekend, the English language version of Middle Eastern news station Aljazeera will be airing an episode of their interview series "Talk to Aljazeera", focusing on Vangelis.

Vangelis was interviewed by Aljazeera anchor Tony Harris, best known as a former CNN anchor on "CNN Newsroom".

Aljazeera English is a news channel available on TV in most of the world. Additionally, their broadcasts are streamed live on their web site:
www.aljazeera.com/watch_now

The episode will air according to the following schedule, presented in Central European times (France, Germany, The Netherlands, etc):
[Broadcast times corrected on January 19]
Saturday January 21, (5:30 - 6:00)
Sunday January 22, (9:30 - 10:00)
Sunday January 22, (20:30 - 21:00)
Monday January 23, (15:30 - 16:00 )

Soon after the broadcast(s), the interview will also be available for online viewing here:
www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera

Concert Program booklets

[Edited on December 28, 2011] Note: We're very sorry, but all booklets have been given out. Should more copies somehow become available, we'll post another note here. The article below remains for archival purposes.

Since so few of Vangelis' fans were able to attend the concert in Qatar, some of the lucky few who did felt we needed to do what we could for our fellow collectors. After the concert was over, it turned out that a small part of the audience had left their concert program booklets behind, so we set out to rescue as many of them as possible.

There's only so much one can carry, so unfortunately supply is limited, but for roughly the first 75 Vangelis collectors who apply, we will be sending a booklet, for only the cost of the shipment.

This is a joined effort between: elsew.com, VangelisMovements.com, nemostudios.co.uk and VangelisCollector.com

Tegos tapes

For the record: Vangelis collectors should make sure not to overlook Don's recent discovery of a source for the illustrious Tegos surgery VHS tapes. Scored by Vangelis, literally over 10 hours of unheard Vangelis music is now finally in the hands of Vangelis collectors. He posted a review and details on his source on www.vangeliscollector.com/news.htm.

Stunning views on Vangelis' concert

Full report on the Vangelis concert in Doha, Qatar

It has now been one full week since the State of Qatar presented the Vangelis concert at the opening of the Katara Amphitheater in Doha. Time for a full report on this unique event.

Qatar seems to be aiming for the sky, with development in their capital city delivering one sky scraper after another in the town's posh West Bay area, while the more subtle developing of cultural breeding ground at the Katara Cultural Village has far from been neglected. Indeed, the area is thriving with countless tourists and residents visiting every day. The new Amphitheater however, the center focus of Katara's building plan, had been waiting to open in style, at just the right moment in time. That moment came around eight in the evening on December 11.

The spirit in which this amazing concert was organized might best be summarized in a motto, quoting from H.H. Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, wife of the Emir, who stated "The Qatar way is to find the best the world has to offer and to bring it to our region, while finding the best our region has to offer and taking it to the world."

While world leaders, as well as civil society activists, youth groups, faith communities, research centers, foundations and many other parties met at the Unaoc forum, their members were invited to attend the Grand Opening of the theater. The show they were served was filled with messages of hope and unity. As addressed by master of ceremonies, Oscar winning actor Jeremy Irons, who explained in the concert's introduction: "Here beneath the stars and the full moon, you have gathered, an audience from all around the world, reflecting the multi cultural welcome, that is omnipresent here, in Qatar. As seen tonight is that through music and the arts, we may recognize that we are one global community. And the hope that we will learn to live together, respecting our differences but recognizing our common humanity."

Of course, with names like Ban Ki-Moon and H.H. Sheikha Moza among the audience, as well as many of the visiting ministers, ambassadors and other dignitaries who attended the concert, security was very strict. Vangelis has personally expressed his regrets that due to the nature of the event, attending in the audience was limited to invited guests only and that because of this, his fans had to miss out on this occasion. He is currently trying hard to organize something that could make it up to them in the short future.

Getting ready

It took a while for the audience, all dressed in formal evening wear, to find their seats.

Film director Hugh Hudson, reteaming with Vangelis for this project, such a long time after their legendary collaboration on "Chariots of Fire", had all his camera's rolling. The fantastic Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra was seated behind their instruments, Yvan Cassar prepared to conduct. Gert Hof's lighting team must have been preparing, while Vangelis' engineers were in control of the stage sound and ready to record all sound sources...

Just before he welcomed Vangelis to the stage, Jeremy Irons added: "You have called, we have gathered, let us now deliver our message of hope." And thus started the concert.

Act 1

The first act opened with sounds of the wind, while one by one, the various multi-cultural instruments introduced the audience to the various corners of the world, bridged by some enchanting Vangelis music performed with the orchestra. At some point, each of the instruments was given a bit of time to perform solo, until the orchestra passed the role onto the next instrument. The piece was followed by a more up tempo, rhythm driven track, with the orchestra performing Arabic riffs while the ethnic instruments intertwined their melodies. Not only was the symbolism clear and focussed, it also made for some very entertaining music and show.

Large animated projections of sand dunes in the desert, Arabic motifs and other visual treats graced the screen as they would continue to do throughout the entire show, while the stage (and audience) lighting was brightly colored and pulled the audience into the spectacle.

Act 2

Soprano Angela Gheorghiu was introduced by Jeremy Irons for the performance of Vangelis' new choral symphony, entitled "Hope". It Consists of five movements: "The Stars", "The Seasons", "Nature", "Night" and "Justice". Irons explained how Vangelis drew his inspiration for this music from Orpheus, the poet and artist known from Greek mythology. "The words she will sing speak of universal understanding and the justice that is necessary if we are to live together in peace and harmony. A message from 5000 years ago that still has such resonance today."

"Hope" was performed for about 50 minutes, including the audience's applause, with Angela's magnificent voice singing her classical tones on most of the movements. The Yurlov Russian State Academic choir was fantastic, both in the background during the quiet passages, as well as when taking the lead in the majestic staccato singing we've come to expect from large Vangelis works, as in Mythodea, Hispaniola, etc.

Perhaps more classically European in sound than Mythodea, "Hope" was equally engaging, bold and delicate, sometimes all at the same time. There can be little doubt that when the concert is eventually released on CD and DVD, the fans who are open to Vangelis' more classical endeavors will see their hearts genuinely touched. And hopefully, a new audience, perhaps with a more classically oriented background will join them.

Act 3

Piano and strings, performed in a lighter mode introduced the third act, opening with an instrumental version of Vangelis' new "Child of Hope" composition, slowly building to its orchestral climax. The kind of tune you can't escape from humming in the days to follow, whether you like it or not. It was well appreciated by the audience, who didn't yet realize they were to hear it again later in the concert, then with both choirs joining in.

Finally, Roberto Alagna was introduced, and the two classical music world stars started their "Piccola Bohème" song, for which Alagna himself provided the lyrics, written in Italian. Let's hope these will be supplied in writing when the CD is released. This performance was certainly another high point in the concert, with their voices blending in a beautiful duet, simple but so elegant...

Encores

It's an interesting phenomenon that no matter how much you're enjoying the new music being heard for the first time, the appearance of some familiar notes promising the performance of a well known favorite will always sent some extra shivers down your spine. This night, it was the throbbing baseline of Chariots of Fire that made the hearts of the audience pumping a little extra. Even if not performed to absolute perfection, the power of the song and the passion of the performance took everyone's breath away.

That effect was only enhanced by Gert Hof's light show shifting into its highest gears, transforming the sky around the theater in an arena of dancing colors.

Chariots was followed by an equally moving Conquest of Paradise, welcomed just as warmly by the audience and accompanied by the same level of visual spectacle. Goosebumbs all around.

Finale

"Child of Hope", now announced as "Children of Hope", formed the concert's finale. Now with the children's choir and the Russian choir singing lyrics by Tim Rice, the song was taken to another level. If it didn't get to you the first time, there was no way around it now. Backed by a subtle form of red rain from the pyrotechnics, and more lights from Gert Hof, its conclusion made the audience burst into an ovation that lasted for many minutes. Sure, it's true what some papers wrote: Not all of the audience managed to stay until the end (the chilly night? Busy conferencing schedules? Hip-hop fans?), but there wasn't a soul in the theater who stayed calm at the end. There can be no question: the audience did appreciate what they were a part of, that evening.

Much

There is much to be said, still. More details to add, like the moment where the middle screen dropped slowly, unveiling an arch in the backdrop, finally allowing a view over the ocean, where colored lights highlighted the traditional Qatari dhow boats, assembled there to be a small part of the spectacle, much to the audience's delight. Or the risks of an open-air concert illustrated by the moment where the wind got a hold of conductor Yvan Cassar's partitions, dropping them the floor. Thankfully only when the music had stopped for a moment!

There will of course be more details to unveil about the upcoming releases, which you will find here, when the time comes... Except that by now it's clear that the DVD will be including a documentary on the making of the event. There is much to look forward to.

Thanks

It's about time we give credit to everyone who submitted links, information, tips, etc, during the ongoing coverage of this event. Thank you:

Matthias Eisloffel, Milan Fari, Kevin Polfliet, Luis Castro, Marcos Ferasso, Perry Yung, Henri Aal, Didier Le Luel, Umberto Calonaci, Pierre Kandel, Fernando Hoya, Pascal Maille, Paul Zarzycki, Robert Eichelsheim and Yvonne.

Extra special thanks to a number of anonymous people who helped us in many ways ranging from small to absolutely huge favors. You know who you are. Thank you so much!!!

More later

... as soon as news comes in.

For now...

A few more links to check out:
- www.aa.com.tr/tr/component/pwfotogaleri/?controller=photos&lay...
- yungflutes.com/blog/entry/shakuhachi_in_doha_qatar/

Shakuhachi performer Perry Yung

Perry Yung who played the shakuhachi Japanese flute on Vangelis' concert writes a short text on his blog on the Doha event.
yungflutes.com/blog/entry/vangelis_concert_with_shakuhachi_in_doha_qatari

Concert and backstage photos

The Romanian magazine National publishes on its website some photos from the concert and the artists backstage:
www.enational.ro/monden/angela-gheorghiu-si-roberto-alagna-si-au-cantat-dragostea-in-qatar-112371.html

From the concert's program...

The concert's program booklet contains the following text, written by Vangelis personally:

...and some links

A review of the concert in Arabic here:
www.al-watan.com/viewnews.aspx?cat=culture&d=20111213
The article is actually condensed from their version in the printed newspaper, which includes two photographs of the show.

More from German music critics Becker and Heller:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdCa-Tjv6kY

Also check out this beautiful photograph on the orchestra's Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=260710473982493&set=a.167274859992722.43321.123117051075170

More updates coming up in the next few days, and elsew.com's more complete concert review will be here somewhere in the weekend.

Qatar on photographs

A blog about the lovely Angela Gheorghiu shares some photographs of the event and rehearsals:
angelagheorghiu.blogspot.com

Some really great official photographs of the event can be found here:
www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2011/12/angelas-night-in-an-oil-well-with-vangelis-first-pictures.html

The Concert

Tonight, not long after 8 o' clock in the evening, local time, Vangelis and the assembled musicians performed the concert at the Katara Amphitheater in Doha, Qatar.

The performance of the choral symphony called "Hope" (in 5 movements) along with other new compositions written for the occasion, and the performance of Chariots of Fire and Conquest of Paradise proved an impressive spectacle. Classical music, sometimes pleasantly restrained, sometimes big and powerful. On occasion, it brought back memories of Mythodea. Good memories, that is. Passionate performances, captivating music.

We'll have to get back to you with more details here on elsew.com tomorrow.

For a quick first glimpse, the Katara Foundation has put a few snapshots of the concert on-line. See here at yfrog.com/z/klljicrj.

Public soundcheck

It's December 10, the night the public was allowed into the concert venue. Some 500 people showed up and were allowed to take place in various locations in the amphitheater.

For organizational reasons, the public event tonight was scaled down to an extensive soundcheck, with the orchestra and choirs performing new Vangelis compositions, as well as a delightful rendition of Conquest of Paradise. Vangelis however was not a part of this, nor where the other contributing artists. The orchestra however proved powerful and impressive, and gave a glimpse into what the concert tomorrow might be like. After about 6 tracks, the soundchecks ended, and the audience was asked to leave the premises, while other tests continued.

Later in the evening, rehearsals continued without an audience, with the orchestra performing, and later also a soprano singing, with Vangelis coordinating on location. These rehearsals are most likely still taking place at this moment.

We will keep you posted on anything happening. Of course, also expect a report on the concert in due time.

Katara allows limited audience to attend dress rehearsals

The Katara Foundation has used its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KataraQatar) to announce (in Arabic) an unexpected turn of events. Apparently, the first 1000 people who show up at the Amphitheater will be allowed to attend the dress rehearsals. In other words, they will see the Vangelis concert live, even before its official performance on December 11.

If you are within reach of Doha, be sure to report at the theater by 4:30PM, local time.

Thanks to Marcos Ferasso for his post on the Yahoo (Direct) discussion group.

Vangelis concert announced in Qatar

The Qatar News Agency put a newswire today announcing there will be a Vangelis music concert on Sunday evening at Katara, on the occasion of the inauguration of Katara's new amphitheater.

The news wire also reported prior to the concert on Sunday there will be a press conference and it will be chaired by Katara's president Mr Abdulrahman Alkhulaifi.

Meanwhile, sitar performer Jasdeep Singh Degun has shared another photo taken a day later showing more progress of the screens being built at the stage, which he describes as a 40 meter high screen. See his tweet at: pic.twitter.com/Nl8dT5NS

More details about next week's concert

With exactly one week to go before Vangelis performs his live concert in Doha, Qatar, reliable sources were able to share some more details about the upcoming event.

Recording

The concert is going to be filmed and recorded for worldwide broadcasts, theatrical performances, and production of a DVD and CD. The registration will be directed by Hugh Hudson, acclaimed British director of Chariots of Fire and other award winning films. There is also in fact a chance that Live performances of the same event may follow!

Invited by the State of Qatar

The concert will be performed in Doha on the invitation by the State of Qatar and the Katara Foundation. Vangelis accepted this offer to conceive, design, direct and compose the music for the event.

It takes place on the occasion of the United Nations' Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Forum's yearly summit, under the auspices of H.H. the Emir and his wife H.H. Sheikha Moza.

No less than 132 countries and organizations are members of the Alliance of Civilizations Forum and in light of this, the concert will be attended by heads of state and other dignitaries from all over the world, including H.H. the Emir of Qatar and the Royal Family of Qatar.

Aim of the event is to send out a message to the world, a call for peace and hope, in name of the State of Qatar and the United Nations' Alliance of Civilization Forum.

Music

The performance will include new music, composed for the occasion. Vangelis, of course, will be personally performing, live at the event. He will be supported by the famous Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu and as a guest star the world renowned Italian / French tenor Roberto Alagna, Qatar's Philharmonic Orchestra, the Yurlov Russian State Academic Choir, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra's children choir, and a number of traditional musicians.

Theater

As mentioned in earlier updates, the concert will also mark the inauguration of the Ampitheatron at the Katara Cultural village (www.katara.net). The theater was built in the shape of an ancient Greek theater, including all Greek rhythms (Doric, Ionian and Corinthian), with a lot of modern Arabic architectural elements incorporated.

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

The concert takes place during the fourth annual Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in Doha. The Alliance of Civilizations (Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_of_Civilizations) is a United Nations initiative, launched in 2005, with the aim to "bridge divides and overcome prejudice, misconceptions, misperceptions, and polarization which potentially threaten world peace. The initiative seeks to galvanize international action against extremism through the forging of international, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and cooperation. The Alliance places a particular emphasis on defusing tensions between the Western and Islamic worlds."

Their forum's summit in Doha is a sort of conference where, according to the UNAOC's web site, "over 2,000 participants, including political and corporate leaders, civil society activists, youth groups, faith communities, research centers, foundations and journalists, will come together to agree on joint actions to improve relations across cultures, combat prejudice and build lasting peace."

The Official web site for the UNAOC happening is www.qatar4unaoc.org.

"Elegy" performance in streaming video

While we wait for more news on the upcoming Vangelis concert in Qatar, let's rewind for a bit to the recent classical performance of Vangelis' new composition "Elegy". The good news is that a streaming video has now been made available, showing the entire opening concert of the recent Vivacello festival, including the performance of "Elegy".

www.paraclassics.com is a Russian internet tv channel, which exclusively broadcasts streams of classical performances recorded in a selection of the best Russian concert halls. This wonderful initiative is in experimental stages and for the time being can be freely watched by simply registering and browsing their site.

Go to tchaikovsky-hall.paraclassics.com, register (or log in), and click on "VIVACELLO Festival Opening". Or for a more direct link, visit:
tchaikovsky-hall.paraclassics.com/#/concert/44

Elegy is the first track, playing from 00:02:41 to 00:12:51.

The video will only be available for only an unspecified period of time. If you enjoy ParaClassics' service, consider the option of a small donation. There's a "Support" button on the bottom of their main page, which takes you to PayPal.

"Amore" and "Salut Jerusalem" on DVD

While we're waiting for more news on the upcoming "event", some news on two of the Henry Chapier movies scored by Vangelis. After having been released as downloads on the ina.fr video archive (see the January 23 update, also for more details about these films), "Salut Jerusalem" and "Amore" are now being released on DVD, sold together on one disk.

The DVD is called "Henry Chapier cinéaste". Both "Amore" and "Salut Jerusalem" are French language films and sadly there is currently no reason to believe they will have foreign sub titles.

In addition to the two movies, it contains a bonus feature about Chapier, called "Le Divan d'Henry Chapier par Henry Chapier".

The DVD will be sold in France for about €20, starting January 18, 2012.

"Elegy" media coverage

Some of the Russian media coverage of the Viva Cello festival is available online.

The following TV news reports (in Russian) refer to Vangelis' contribution. A few sparse notes from Vangelis' "Elegy" can be heard in the first link, from 0:52 to 1:16, approximately.

• www.newstube.ru/media/violonchel-nyj-festival-otkrylsya-proizvedeniem-vangelisa
• www.tvkultura.ru/news.html?id=801928&cid=178
• www.vesti.ru/only_video.html?vid=366029

The following news articles refer to Vangelis' contribution to the festival:

• www.svobodanews.ru/content/article/24341192.html
• www.muzcentrum.ru/news/2011/09/item5392.html
• www.radioalla.md/news/104.html
• www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=582330&cid=460

The articles provide some more insight in the nature of this event. For one, cellist and festival director Boris Adrianov explains that Vangelis wrote the Elegy composition specifically for this festival. The composition was finished only two weeks ahead of its performance. Adrianov speaks highly of the composition and calls it unpretentious and beautiful. Vangelis was apparently closely involved, in what is a new genre for him, and would watch a live webcast of the performance. A private one, we can assume, as there were no public broadcasts of this festival.

The music that Vangelis composed (by performing it) was transcribed by Irina Valentinova-Karpukhina and Alexey Kurbatov helped with the orchestrations.

Adrianov also recounts that the sad cancellation of the closing concert happened because of financial and organizational issues, and that no doubt the "Dialogue for cello and violin" composition will still be performed at another occasion.

"Elegy"

Reports from Moscow confirm that Vangelis' new composition was performed as planned on the opening concert of the Viva Cello festival.

Audience members describe "Elegy" as an elegant, slow, classical composition, quite traditional in style. The performance lasted just over 10 minutes. Use of the orchestra was quite restrained, with some passages played solo on the cello, while in other parts there was harmonic backing from strings and some occasional brasses.

The performance was very warmly received by the audience.

Two brand-new Vangelis compositions to premiere on Moscow cello festival

Some great news here today. Reliable sources confirm that two brand-new Vangelis compositions are soon to see their world premiere performances at Moscow's prestigious Vivacello festival.

The festival's opening concert will start with a piece called "Elegy", written by Vangelis for cello and orchestra. It will be performed on September 27 by Boris Andrianov on cello. The Concert is performed in memory of legendary cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.

The festival's closing concert will open with a piece called "Dialogue", written by Vangelis for cello, violin and orchestra. The name seems to refer to the conversation between the two lead instruments. It will be performed on October 3 by Boris Andrianov on cello and Julian Rachlin on violin, accompanied by an orchestra.

To avoid any confusion: Vangelis will not be performing himself; these are classical artists interpreting his compositions.

Finders Keepers Records releases banned "The Dragon" track on CD

UK psychedelic label "Finders Keepers Records" is releasing a new compilation CD, called "Make Do And Mend - Volume Two", which includes the unfinished and unofficial Vangelis track "The Dragon". This 15 minute track is known from the album "The Dragon", an LP release consisting of unfinished jam sessions with Vangelis. It was released in his name but without his permission in the early '80s and was banned by court injunction. None of these tracks have been legally released since.

The same label has released this and other tracks on several releases in the past few years. There was a CD called "THE BYG DEAL", which contained "Stuffed Tomato", which is another track from "The Dragon" as well as Alpha Beta's "Astral Abuse". They also released a 12" vinyl single (and internet download) called "WHO KILLED THE DRAGON?", which contained both these "The Dragon" tracks and both sides of the Alpha Beta single from the '70s.

Elsewhere site redesigned

No Vangelis news today, but a few words to explain what you may have already noticed: As of today, parts of this site have been redesigned. More pages will follow in the coming weeks, until the entire site has been transformed into its modernised shape.

Content is also being updated, although this will be a longer process. Continued updates of course will follow, also after the initial revision has been completed.

Finally, I now share editorial control (and workload) on this site with Sufian, who's already been an enourmess help to this site since almost forever. Welcome, Sufian, and thanks for all your efforts.

- Dennis