Night With Secret Garden

A perfect addition for those that collect live concert performances. Relax and enjoy, invite over a like minded friend or two for concert movie night.

I was familiar with Secret Garden only by having HEARD much of their music. So, it was a real treat to SEE how the music is performed as shown in the DVD, "A Night with Secret Garden."As has been noted in other reviews posted, the stage light setting is very dark, perhaps to emphasize the theme of the concert, a "night" with Secret Garden. Only Rolf Lovland and Fionnuala Sherry can be clearly seen, while the rest of the musicians and vocalists (Anuna) are shadowed in a very dark backdrop. Only when the camera gets a closeup of another musician (the oboeist, guitarist, and others), can their face and fingerwork be made out. I would have preferred more light to make clearer the other musicians.(Edited addition to this review follows here ... I just watched a VHS of "Light Above the Trees," featuring the great jazz pianist Keiko Matsui in concert, and to my surprise, the stage setting for her show featured the same very dark "ambience," with the spotlight mainly on her and her partner musician playing the saxophone - all other musicians on stage could barely be made out! It was almost as though both these productions had the same stage lighting crew! I had originally compared the lighting on stage of the Secret Garden concert to the lighting that appears in the Loreena McKennitt "Alhambra" concert where the musicians are much more visible.)That said, the production quality is very good - the camera work is good - varied with showing various views,angles, perspectives, artists, highlighting a musician when he/she has a solo part, as well as getting closeups of fingerwork on the piano, violin, and oboe by the various artists. The pacing of the camera is done at a good rate - not staying too long in one place, but not jumping from one place to another in a rapid fire motion. I was very surprised by the performance quality - it was studio quality. The performances seemed flawless. I was also amazed at how accomplished the choral group Anuna sounded live. It was hard to believe that much of the performance wasn't "lip-synched" (or whatever the term is for prerecorded vocalizing).I enjoyed the documentary detailing the injury to Sherry, the evolution of the group's success through its Eurovision experience, and a 3 and 2 minutes behind the scenes video of a studio rehearsal performance of "Passacaglia" and "Poeme."The opening animation is mesmerizing preceding the video. It is very short but very enjoyable.I bought this DVD in a "like new" (used) condition. It ran flawlessly except for two issues. I wonder if others have had similar experiences. At one point in the concert (fortunately before the performance of a piece of music), Sherry's image freezes for about a half second before the DVD continues. Perhaps it is due to some sort of physical thing on the DVD and a cleaning might help. I was able to view only one documentary. From the "home menu," there is only one "documentary" listed, which I clicked on and watched the one documentary. Supposedly, there are two documentaries. (The one documentary I watched detailed the initial meeting between Lovland and Sherry, of a background history of Lovland, of the Eurovision experience, rehearsal footage of various songs, and of the marketing of SG in the United States. I wonder what the "other" documentary shows.) When I clicked on "videos," I saw a listing which included "Moving," and "Nocturne." No matter what I did to select the first video selection, "Moving," the DVD moved to the second selection "Nocturne." ("Moving" would simply not be allowed to be "highlighted" as the selected choice.)I am not a big fan of these kinds of "videos" (music serving as the audio backdrop to some dramatization by the artists who perform the music) and the video to "Nocturne," while pleasant, is not something I would care to watch again - the concert was enough. I might not miss not being able to see the video to "Moving."What is also valuable in this DVD is the discography - there are three DVDs listed (Songs from a Secret Garden, White Stones, and Dawn of a New Century), and you can select any song on these DVDs to hear a sample of about 30 seconds of music as well as reading a little background of the meaning of the creation of each song. It was interesting to learn the meaning of "White Stones." On my CD "Collection" of SG's best hits, "Illumination," is not included, so it was nice to be able to hear at least 30 seconds of this song from the discography track listing.For any Secret Garden fan who has not seen this group perform, I recommend getting this DVD, with the caveat that you will be watching them perform on a stage that simulates a "night" setting, with lighting focused only on the Lovland and Sherry. The picture on the cover of the DVD showing a lighted stage is not what is viewable on the DVD.Unlike some DVDs of "live concerts," this DVD features a concert that is over two hours long, with minimal interruption of commentaries by the performers. The concert features the performance of music, not conversation by the musicians with the audience.I would have found onscreen subtitles/captioning of lyrics for songs that were sung helpful. I couldn't make out the words to songs sung by Anuna.Still a 5 for a rating even with the "problems."

Especially loved hearing the commentary by Rolph preceding the numbers played. I had grown to love their work and it was especially nice to now know the reasons or history behind some of the numbers. Was also delighted to hear the explanation of some of their songs. I had long thought that some of my favorites were written by the folks who performed them.... incorrect.... Secret Garden were the composers of these beloved pieces of music. Makes it extra special to know that now.

Since I turned off television in August 2001, I have these wonderful hours to fill with something besides advertising and freak shows (as in today's television programming). So I alternate between the internet and DVDs. This DVD is the first one I have purchased and it is something I am very glad that I own. The music of course is what good music should be if you are of the classical, soothing type of music lover. The DVD intersperses performances with commentary on the artists. It is nicely paced between each. The only negative is the name dropping of Barbra Steisand. Who cares? I would rather get to know the Norwegians better and forget fame by association!!!

I am also baffled by the poor reviews I read here especially since they say they like Secret Garden. So I just had to comment on this. To say it is near CD quality is way off base. Maybe it's time for you to get a new sound system. I've had this DVD for over a year (or two?) and played it many times to the enjoyment of family and friends. The 5.1 surround is excellent as well as the sound quality of the music and vocals. It's Secret Garden at their best and I highly reccomend it.

I absolutely love Secret Garden. I gave away this dvd years ago and thought I would replace it recently.This would be a great dvd if it was more technologically up to date. The quality is very poor. I think if this was digitally re-mastered to blu ray it would be phenominal.Having said that the performances by Rolph, and Fionnuala are exquisite and I still think Rolph is one of the greatest composers of our time. Too bad their music was never pushed here in the usa.

Delivered as advertised

I truly enjoyed this DVD, even though I had all the songs on various CD's that I had purchased. There was little speaking and no long periods of clapping - just the beautiful songs that I loved so much. The time went so quickly. If you enjoy a fusion of styles and the flavor of Celtic rhythms, you will definitely get your money's worth from this DVD.

日頃の忙しない生活の中で、安らぎの一時を過ごすことができます。

あっ！　と言う間に全23曲が終わった、という感じでした。　プレイヤー、それぞれの演奏テクニックも堪能出来ました。　でも、フィドラーのフィンヌーラさんはスゴイ！　このDVD収録から7年となり、更なるDVDの収録、発売を望みます。

I love Secret Garden's music and it was great to be able to see them perform live. This DVD has recorded a marvellous concert by an outstanding duo well reflecting their best music.I was delighted with the service I received from the supplier. The package was delivered promptly and in perfect condition.Gerry Mc Menemy.

slightly disappointing but still good music

Ich sag mal bekannt um sich berühren zu lassen.Einfach unglaublich wenn man sie spielen sieht mit Ihrem strahlen, da weiss jeder sofort warum dich die Musik im Herzen berührt.Da fällt mir auch die etwas ältere Bildqualität nicht auf!sie ist etwas wie damals, nicht die qualität die man heute gewohnt ist.