Elena - Elena's Cultural Symphony
Cat No: CDJAY394
Barcode: 9410023914696
Label: Jayrem Cost: $16.45 + GST
Release date: Available now

Elena's self-titled debut album has been in Jayrem Records' Top 10 Sellers list since its release in May 2003 ... not bad for a Maori classical violinist who champions haircuts of the Mohawk variety! With her new album "Elena's Cultural Symphony", Elena once again finds unexpected ways of integrating traditional Maori and European musical cultures. The CD's centrepiece and opening track is the Tim Whitta composition "1840 Waitangi Overture" which features the Wellington Sinfonia, the Whitireia Performing Arts group, percussionist whizzkids Strike, tenor Howard McGuire and soprano April Neho. Vivaldi's "Gloria" features Elena, the Sinfonia and the Whitireia group. Simply Fantasic, a six piece acoustic group, join Elena on "Kei a Koe e" and "Kua Rongo Mai Koe". Maori stick games as you've never heard them before (on E Papa Waiari") feature percussion group, Strike. Classical works such as "L'Apprenti Sorcier" and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata are re-arranged by Gareth Farr (Gareth himself plays marimba with Elena on the latter track). The only track previously released on "Elena" is well worth revisiting - it is "Blue Smoke" which combines the talents of April Neho, Simply Fantastic and, of course, Elena. Like "Elena", this new CD is lavishly packaged. Forthcoming TV Programs: * A 50 minute documentary on Elena is scheduled to appear on TV in January. * The concert of "Elena's Cultural Symphony" will also appear on TV screens in 2005. We shall e-mail you with the dates of these TV programmes as soon as we are notified.

Short description: Elena - Elena
Cat No: N/A
Barcode: 9421002390998
Label: Jayrem Cost: $16.45 + GST
Release date: Available now
Full description:
ELENA is an extraordinary musician and violin player whose debut album 'ELENA' features exciting arrangements of classical and traditional Maori and European compositions designed to break down the musical barriers between these diverse disciplines.

The opening track, Canon's 'Pachelbel' combines with ELENA's mihi and Karanga.

Gareth Farr's composition 'He Tango mo Elena' is one of the album's highlights. The haka (of love!) interweaves with the dance of sorrow (tango). 'He Tango mo Elena' features the full NGC Wellington Sinfonia, ELENA's beautiful violin solo and vocals from Brannigan Kaa and Kapa Haka group, Tu Te Maungaroa.

Maori classics such as 'Blue Smoke' and 'Once Were Warriors' are performed as String Quartet and full orchestral scores. ELENA's electric violin replaces the electric guitar on the 'Warriors' track.

The wonderful vocals of April Neho, Howard McGuire and Aroha Priest are enhanced by ELENA's violin and Steffen Gores' guitar on 'Hine E Hine'.

Bic Runga's 'Sway' is given the string quartet treatment and Latin American rhythms are to the fore on 'Puerto' and 'La Compasita'.

Nga Waiata :

1. Canon

2. He Tango Moo Elena

3. Tarakihi

4. Sway

5. Last of the Mohicans

6. Once Were Warriors

7. Blue Smoke

8. Hine e Hine

9. Puerto

10. La Compasita

11. Elena's Elegant Violin

12. Toccato & Fugue