66 Results for : elaborately
-
Desperate Undertaking
Rome, the very end of December. The Field of Mars is packed with monuments, none more beautiful than Domitian's new Odeon and Stadium. But the area has been overtaken by ugly events: elaborately staged murders. Someone bears a spectacular grudge against the theatrical community, and intends to get revenge in the most spectacular way possible. The killer's method is to re-enact bloody scenes from the gruesome side of popular theatre, where characters in plays really die on stage. A figure from the past wants Flavia Albia's father to investigate, but Falco is out of Rome for the holidays. Albia seizes the commission. And begins to regret doing so almost immediately. 'The undertaker did it!' the first victim croaks before expiring. This seems to make no sense, because surely people are already dead when they go to their funeral? Though there is a serial killer at large, the authorities would prefer a cover-up but Albia is driven to discover what is going on. How much blood must be shed before the mania ends? And could her own family be on the list for a frightful stage death? Praise for Lindsey Davis and the Flavia Albia series 'It positively crackles with knowledge of the city and its people, mixed with social comment, ingenious and bloody plots and sharp observational skills leavened by more than a smattering of genuine and sometimes earthy humour' Crime Review 'Lighthearted, witty and effortlessly clever, just like its wonderful heroine, this is a window into ancient Rome, and a tonic and a joy to read' The Observer 'For a totally exhilarating romp through Ancient Rome, Lindsey Davis' latest Flavia Alba novel won't be beaten and offers an immersive experience of a vibrant world full of real, recognisable characters' Shotsmag 'In this witty novel by the mistress of Roman crime, the reader is transported behind the scenes of a Triumph into a fascinating world of actors, costumiers and animal trainers, all united in their hatred of the murdered man' Sunday Express Magazine- Shop: buecher
- Price: 16.99 EUR excl. shipping
-
Heroes Music for Brass By Kerry Turner
International Horn Society Review: 'The extraordinary talent of Kerry Turner is on display here - this time as a composer of works for brass and percussion. Kerry Turner conducts some of the works and makes a 62-second solo appearance as a vocalist - a very nicely performed introduction to Ghost Riders. Although Kerry remains best known for his stellar performances and recordings with the American Horn Quartet, as his list of compositions grows, the performances and recordings of these works will soon place his name with the finest contemporary composers.' 'I enjoyed every bit of this CD: the compositions, the performances, and the recorded sound are all exceptional.' CS "The Horn Call" (International Horn Society) February 2007, pg 92. KERRY DREW TURNER (1960) was born into a very musical family on the famous King Ranch in southern Texas. He began composing at the age of ten and winning prizes two years later. Since 1984 Mr. Turner has held principal horn positions of the Gürzenich Orchestra of Cologne, Germany and the Symphony Orchestra of Radio-Tele-Luxembourg. In 1987 he was Bronze Medallist at the 39th Prague Spring International Music Competition on horn and has gained worldwide renown as a member of the American Horn Quartet. The music of Kerry Drew Turner is often pictorial if not programmatic. It can tell a story, relive a dream or depict an historical moment. Like other composers before him, Mr Turner draws from the musical heritage of his native land, in this case the folk music of Texas with it's strong Irish/Scottish roots. These influences are clearly audible in his music that is rich in color, energy and imagination as well as universal in it's appeal. HEROES (1997) is a three movement tone-poem for large brass ensemble and pays homage to three inspiring people in history who have displayed undaunted courage. I. Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) was 'one of the most indomitable and, in some ways, the most luckless of the Antarctic explorers of the early twentieth century.' In 1914, as captain of The Endurance, he and his crew were forced to abandon ship when it became trapped and pulverized in the Antarctic pack-ice. Unable to communicate with the rest of the world, Sir Earnest lead his men to a bleak, barren beach on Elephant Island. From there he and six of his men sailed a small lifeboat almost 1000 miles across stormy, frozen seas to South Georgia Island where he and two others scaled the 4,023 meter Mount Erebus in order to reach a tiny whaling station on the other side. He returned to Elephant Island aboard a self-chartered steamer to find all of his crew alive and well. In the face of total catastrophe, Sir Ernest Shackleton risked all dangers to bring his entire crew back safely to England. II. Stoning of Saint Stephen (died AD 36?) was the first Christian martyr. He was taken before the Sanhedrin on a charge of blasphemy. Standing fearlessly before a powerful group of men who hated him, he gave what is considered one of the most eloquent speeches of all time, calmly defending his faith while being mocked and derided by the court and crowd. Not allowed to conclude his own defence, he was condemned to death by stoning. Members of the assembly saw something marvellous in his face before he died, as he proclaimed to see the very heavens open above him. It has been said that this man came closer to being an angel than any man who has ever lived. III. Amelia Earhart (1898-1937) was a famous American female aviator. She was noted for her flights across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In June 1937 she began a flight around the world with her navigator Fred Noonan. As they neared the tiny Howland Island in the Pacific, their fuel ran very low and they lost all communication due to stormy weather. An extensive search by planes and ships of the United States Navy failed to discover any trace of the lost flyers, and their fate remains a mystery. Those who knew her spoke of a courage beyond measure. In the middle of this movement, the listener will hear an impression of Amelia Earhart's final radio communication, represented by the celesta above the background sounds of an airplane engine. THE CASBAH OF TETOUAN was conceived during a visit to Morocco in the summer of 1988. The composer offers the following anecdote: 'As we crossed the Straits of Gibraltar and first laid eyes on the North African coast, I knew we were in store for an adventure! The city of Tetouan was our destination, we were soon standing before it's main gates. As we entered the city, the many exotic new sights, complementing the wild sounds and smells of the bustling ancient city, overran our ices and grains, and silk. Street butchers displayed slaughtered lambs, goats and pigs, and a snake charmer with his cobra unnerved the unwary passerby. Somewhere around the urine-treated leather goods things began to swim before my eyes. After I informed the guide that I was ill, a young boy was sent to escort me to a quiet place. The boy knew every secret passage and shortcut in the Casbah. He led me through ever tinier streets and tunnels, across nomad camps, and even through a kitchen! We sailed through the back door of a mosque, and out the other side. Finally we entered a large, dark and cool house, which seemed to be some sort of palace. The boy led me to a back room and laid me down upon a bed of large pillows. I passed out. I awoke thoroughly disoriented. The first things I saw were six elaborately cloaked elderly men, wildly discussing in Arabic what could possibly be wrong with me, I heard exotic music and aromatic food assailed my senses. After closer observation I discovered I was in a fancy restaurant, being entertained by a belly dancer. Somehow my wife and brother found me and we resumed our inspection of Tetouan. I still felt lightheaded and rather doped by the 'therapeutic' tea, my impressions of the city were somewhat hallucinogenic.' FAREWELL TO RED CASTLE (1985) is based on a traditional Scottish pipe march presumably inspired by the Red Castle of Beauly Firth, possibly the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland. Originally written for string orchestra this piece has also been recorded in a version for 8 horns bythe American Horn Quartet with the NY Philharmonic horn section and receives it's world premier on this recording in a version for Brass Octet. The form is traditionally a theme with 4 variations and a finale. GHOST RIDERS (1994) (Brass Octet & Optional Voice) was inspired by a traditional Western American folk song. It tells of a cowboy who, while riding the range, has a terrifying encounter with a ghostly herd of cattle. In the vision a ghost rider warns him to better his sinful ways or end up riding with the devil herd for the rest of eternity. The opening text is as follows: 'A cowpoke went a-ridin' out one dark and windy day, He rested on his saddle as he rode along the way, When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw, Thundrin' through the windy sky and on a cloudy drive. Yippie i ay Yippie i oh, Ghost riders in the sky.' THE LABYRINTH (1995/6) is for large brass ensemble and percussion. The inspiration of the piece came from a dream where one stands before the gate of a giant labyrinth. It contains countless corridors through which to pass in order to successfully exit the maze. Each corridor has it's own character, colors and sounds, each very different from the others. The traveler, the gate, each corridor and even the labyrinth itself has a theme or motive of it's own. Shortly after entering the mysterious maze, one is raced through a sequence of corridors, some dead-ends and some leading on to still others until, after a small surprise, he bursts through a window to escape into open 'free' sound. IMPROVISATION (1998) is named after the circumstances in which the piece was written. Starting with several different motives, the piece was composed while traveling, started with 5 days to kill in Chicago and finished on a flight to Melbou- Shop: odax
- Price: 22.25 EUR excl. shipping
-
Escape From Alcatraz
Superstar Clint Eastwood and director Don Siegal re-team for their fifth film in this fascinating account of the only three men ever to escape from the infamous maximum security prison at Alcatraz. In 29 years, the seemingly impenetrable federal penitentiary, which housed Al Capone and "Birdman" Robert Stroud, was only broken once- by three men never heard of again. Eastwood portrays Frank Morris, the cunning bank robber who masterminded the elaborately detailed and, as far as anyone knows, ultimately successful, escape. Patrick McGoohan is a superb counterpoint as the suspicious warden. Filmed on location in Alcatraz, this gritty and realistic reenactment of a true story has all the power one expects of an Eastwood/Siegel movie. (English), Superstar Clint Eastwood and director Don Siegal re-team for their fifth film in this fascinating account of the only three men ever to escape from the infamous maximum security prison at Alcatraz. In 29 years, the seemingly impenetrable federal penitentiary, which housed Al Capone and "Birdman" Robert Stroud, was only broken once- by three men never heard of again. Eastwood portrays Frank Morris, the cunning bank robber who masterminded the elaborately detailed and, as far as anyone knows, ultimately successful, escape. Patrick McGoohan is a superb counterpoint as the suspicious warden. Filmed on location in Alcatraz, this gritty and realistic reenactment of a true story has all the power one expects of an Eastwood/Siegel movie. (Spanish)- Shop: odax
- Price: 14.74 EUR excl. shipping
-
The Lady From Shanghai
Orson Welles (Citizen Kane, 1941) wrote, directed and starred in this treacherous tale of a sailor (Welles) hired to help a beautiful woman (Rita Hayworth) and her disabled lawyer husband (Everett Sloane) sail their private yacht from New York to San Francisco via the Panama Canal. On board, he is bribed to "fake" the murder of the lawyer's partner (Glenn Anders), only to find himself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Welles created a scandal, and lots of publicity, by having his wife Hayworth's trademark red locks cut short and bleached blonde for her role as a femme fatale, but the movie failed to score at the box office upon it's release. Over time, critics have lavished praise on Welles's uncommon vision, which culminates with the most elaborately staged of all film noir finales-the famous shootout in the hall of mirrors.- Shop: odax
- Price: 37.41 EUR excl. shipping
-
Is This Some Kind of Joke?
Following the success of his 2009 (AD) debut release, 'Thank You For Joining the Happy Club', kindie-rocker Billy Kelly pushed aside a backlog of some two dozen finished original songs to write his second CD for kids from scratch. Why? Pretty much no reason! His self-appointed goal was simply to write a musical comedy album for kids about things that struck him funny: an alien-invasion dance craze (The Dance From Outer Space), a diaper-wearing infant's take on why people disappear into bathrooms so often (She's In the Bathroom Now), and the zenith of civilization in the known universe as evinced by a stadium-full of people doing 'the wave' (Check It Out: They're Doing the Wave). Billy's brand-new CD,'Is This Some Kind of Joke?', features ten hilarious new tracks - among them a catchy duet with Davy Jones of The Monkees (Me and My Brand New Haircut) , a song about a man who can only say the word 'La' (We Say LA), and what must certainly be the longest, most elaborately produced song about a cardboard box in the history of popular music (The Legend of Johnny Box). And did we mention the packaging? Each of the first 1,000 copies of the new disc comes in an autographed envelope tucked away inside of a 15 x 20 inch tear-proof, full-color poster with lyrics and a gigantic maze on the back. Oh, and the poster is waterproof! No, really. As if that wasn't enough, there are still a couple more songs on this darn thing! (Do the math.) Run, don't walk, to your nearest computer and order a copy of 'Is This Some Kind of Joke?' today! Unless you are already at your computer, in which case skip the running part and go right to the 'ordering today'. Thank you.- Shop: odax
- Price: 30.61 EUR excl. shipping
-
Where The Devils Live
THE FIRST LIVE DVD OF ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING POLISH PROG-ROCK BANDS!ELABORATELY BEAUTIFUL MIUSIC IN THE VEIN OF"YES","PORCUPINE TEE",DRAWING INFLUENCE FROM SUCH DIVERES GENRES AS ROCK,METAL,JAZZ/FUSION,PROG,AND ELECTRONICA.OUTSTANDINGPERFORMANCE AND INTRIGUING VISUALS MAKING FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL AND DEEPLY ENGAGING SPECTACLE.RICHLY DIVERSIFIED TRACKLIST,FEATURING SONGS FROM "THE THREE SEATS BEHIND A TRIANGLE" AND MORE.DIVE DEEP INTO THE ENCHANTING AND MYSTERIOUS YET WILD- Shop: odax
- Price: 11.59 EUR excl. shipping
