Search - Yanni :: Live at the Acropolis

Well Crafted Record, or The Audience Plays the Part of Ostin

Christopher | Wengen-en-esprit | 08/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never thought my love for music would extend to Yanni. I purchased this album back in high school (10 years ago or so), covertly, and without mentioning it to my friends. Sure enough, it was a beautiful record but I didn't appreciate it for what it was.



Now, as I've found my part of the world to be a raucous, traffic-ingested sort, I can find peace in Yanni's Live at the Acropolis. Even his most invigorating tunes are like listening to a combination of classical music and the better of Hollywood scores...but his music is still a genre on its own.



The piano is beautifully played, my favorite instrument to listen to (with accompaniment); the orchestra is molded perfectly to his music and the very subtle keyboard effects (e.g. haunting ambient choirs in "Until the Last Moment" or string pizzicato in "Standing in Motion") work wonders to add atmosphere. I actually don't know Yanni's other music, so I don't know if he uses orchestras otherwise, but credit must go to his three orchestrators, Shardad Rohani, Jeffrey Silverman, and John Rinehimer for exceptional work.



This record is so meticulously handled, it blows me away. The Acropolis's ambience is preserved; the audience's applause sounds like rain, as it would if you were watching a tasteful theatrical presentation. They did well to remove loud whistles (which can be heard only if the listener is trying) and other distractions. The applause after certain solos is gently brought into the piece keeping that "live" feeling throughout.



The on-site recording and engineering is top-notch, and Yanni himself mixed the final product, keeping the levels respectable. For example, when Yanni talks (which is rare), his voice sounds like an instrument and is subdued, quiet like the soothing voice in a planetarium, and does not jar the listener from the flow of the music.



The shimmering percussion ranges from heart-thumping drums that reverberate through your speakers to light windchimes and hi-hat brush-strokes that are not drowned out by vibrato strings or pulsating rock basses. Every instrument has its place, and every instrument is heard. Exceptional mastering on Chris Bellman's part as well.



The record is atmospheric. I have a difficult time describing it as anything else. The "live" part could have become a hindrance to the music, but it is handled so well, I hope it doesn't become a deterrent to possible purchasers; the album is a wonder to listen to."

Music that arouses strange emotions

Curious Cat | 06/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yanni is a genius and this album is his best! Its a compilation from his earlier albums played by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Acropolis.



Can you go jogging and the blood still rush to your brain? Only when you are listening to Yanni...his music arouses happy emotions. His music has that healing touch!



If you like it, also try his other album "If I could tell you"."