Rhydian O Fortuna Genres:Pop, Rock 2009 sophomore album from the classically trained X Factor finalist. O Fortuna is a natural progression from Rhydian's debut release and confirms his place as the UK's leading Classical crossover artist. As well as being ... more »backed by a Welsh male voice choir, the new album sees him teaming up with classical heavyweight Karl Jenkins, opera superstar Bryn Terfel, harp virtuoso Catrin Finch and the legendary Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Syco.« less
All Artists:Rhydian Title:O Fortuna Members Wishing: 1 Total Copies: 0 Label:Sony UK Original Release Date: 1/1/2009 Re-Release Date: 12/8/2009 Album Type: Import Genres:Pop, Rock Style: Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC:886975964925
Synopsis
Album Description
2009 sophomore album from the classically trained X Factor finalist. O Fortuna is a natural progression from Rhydian's debut release and confirms his place as the UK's leading Classical crossover artist. As well as being backed by a Welsh male voice choir, the new album sees him teaming up with classical heavyweight Karl Jenkins, opera superstar Bryn Terfel, harp virtuoso Catrin Finch and the legendary Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Syco.
CD Reviews
SUBLIME!
Bondroid | Shell Knob, MO | 01/08/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I happily agree with Roger and the other 5 star reviewers. Whoever this Paul Ess person is, you just have to chuckle to yourself and realize there are some folks who are absolutely mesmerized by their own verbosity. Ignore them. Rhydian's voice is a rare ticket to the spiritual stratosphere. An escape from the musically mundane. His is a voice sent to earth straight from heaven. How Great Thou Art had me in tears. Thanks Rhydian. You have been given a wonderful gift. Please keep sharing it with us!"
Amazing
Roger | 12/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Its sad to see only two reviews here. Paul's review is predictable and we can ignore it! He enjoys the trite and sentimental and knows nothing of Voice nor singing!
The Album is a triumph of a genuine and unique Voice.
The acid test is always singing the Classical pieces because with these you have nowhere to hide and can be immediately compared with peers. With the Classics a singer must have genuine singing technique! Belting out or rather the murder of Notes with trivial or trite lyrical lines isn't the measure of singing nor songs.
Rhydian isn't sentimental and his work is marked by his ability (proven again and again) to emotional move his audiences and his listeners.
The effortlessly way he masters these Classical pieces is awesome!
Benedictus and O Fortuna he sings with deceptive easy!
This Album required a Prime time launch and this did and hasn't happened otherwise by now it would have been a world best seller!
Nobody has sung O Fortuna as a soloist! O Fortuna is the worlds most popular classical piece and this young mans version has captured the full blow Epic impact of the piece! Incredible for a 26 year Old!
Well done Rhydian! You dared at 26 to climb and have indeed conquered Everest!
I love this Album I like the intelligent mix of songs and appreciate that its an indication a sample of the range and prodigious talent that is Rhydian"
Well done, Rhydian.
Anonymous | London | 12/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like a phoenix, Rhydian finally shakes off the accusations of oddball-ness and arrogance with a beautiul album that might as well have been called "Pilgrimage." This is a humbling and uplifting work, almost with the sense of an offering.
Yes, the musical production is a tad overcooked, but Rhydian's lyric baritone voice has been kept well to the fore and escapes being swamped. The range of tracks is eclectic and the arrangements nicely varied. (In these respects, I find this more satisfying than the brilliant Susan Boyle's album.)
Rhydian ranges across several genres of music - and several languages! Four of the songs are by Karl Jenkins, who co-produced the album with Nigel Wright. Among them, the Welsh "Myfanwy," duetting with Bryn Terfel, is very expressive, but I love the "Cantilena: Adiemus." For those who remember an advertisement showing a young fellow sea-diving for pearls, this is the beautiful music which accompanied it. The "Ave Verum Corpus" is a Latin standout. There are also obviously "safe" tracks like "O Fortuna," "How Great Thou Art," and the wonderful "Anthem" from _Chess_, but it is in the rarities that Rhydian scores. And there are unexpected pleasures, like his heartfelt rendition of John Denver's classic, "Annie's Song."
Prepare for a major "goosebump" experience then - but more than that, Rhydian's is a world-class voice of breathtaking power and beauty that lifts his material - and his audience - to spiritual levels. Mainly, this is an extraordinarily brave and generous album. It speaks to the soul. Every track is precious, masterfully rendered and intensely moving - whether contemplative or rousing, passionate, aspirational. It's wonderful to see Rhydian fulfilling his promise and challenging his audience. On the strength of this, perhaps as a crossover artist he will explore opera some day - he would also do a great job with Lieder, and I personally think he could make a VERY fine Count in _The Marriage of Figaro_.
Unreservedly recommended to all. Well done indeed, Rhydian. Class all the way.
"
O Fortuna
A. Lloyd | Bolton England | 01/02/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rhydian's second album is a must for classical music lovers. It may have lost some rock/pop fans but for me the album is infinitely better than his first, largely as he has obviously had far more say in the content. Conquest of paradise, O Fortuna and Benedictus are by far my favourite tracks. Agree with roger, Paul Ess's comments can be ignored as he seemes to have a Rhydian Phobia (see reviews on first album). However, just take a listen and hear for yourself, Rhydian has an amazing voice and it really comes to the fore when singing these classics. Superb."
