Earthsong and Stardance

"Earthsong & Stardance" is an amazing "Symphony Of The Third Millenium" created to celebrate composer/multi-instrumentalist Gandalf's 30th anniversary as a performing artist. It is also "a tribute to the wonderful variety and beauty of the universe, to the miracle of all life and being" (quoted from the liner notes). Gandalf appears on acoustic and electric guitars, saz, electric sitar, piano, organ, keyboards, mallets, and orchestral percussion; he is also half of the Sanskrit choir. He performs with several other artists in addition to the Corso Wien Orchestra and the previously - mentioned Sanskrit choir that sings selections from the Bhagavat Gita in its original language. The music ranges from big cinematic orchestral works to more delicate solos and small ensembles to chants. The work is divided into five movements that are further divided into two to five smaller sections, but the pieces flow together as a seamless whole. It's impossible to put this album into a categorial box, but there are definite classical, world, film soundtrack, and new age influences on this most impressive album...