IMAGES FROM KUBLA KHAN

U. S. A. Album Reviews

'And mid these dancing rocks at once and ever

It flung up momently the sacred river'

"Unroll your Persian carpets and prepare to soar on the uplifting flow of a sweepingly sublime saga. No matter that I'm not a big fan of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem 'Kubla Khan'. The epic movie score feel here is irresistible. And yes, Ben Kingsley's voice is mesmerising, but it's the music that handsomely carries this romantic theme from beginning to end. I could smell oranges and poppies and see the caravans across my living room - powerful stuff!"

NAPRA ReView National Magazine

70 seconds MP3 sample (553k)

"What a pleasant surprise! Richard Hill was one of the founders of London's Gabrieli Brass Ensemble and apparently has a very keen understanding of orchestration. This one hour 'orchestral ballet' is mostly music that supports Ben Kingsley's rich narration of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's classic text. The sound of the work is reminiscent of the best Delius or E J Moeran. This new music is finely crafted and beautifully played. One of the most sumptuous new orchestral compositions in years, and worth your time."

Nebraska Public Radio Network

"A labor of love by contemporary composer Richard Hill, it was conceived as a ballet in four movements. Each movement reflects the continually evolving moods of the poem and creates musically, what Coleridge achieved with his words: the evocation of a world of enchantment - a familiar, yet exotic experience of the psyche. Richard Hill composed and conducted 'Images from Kubla Khan' as a tribute to Coleridge, whose creativity and transcendent expression of higher imagination has inspired him since childhood. After studying the writing and archetypal images of Carl Jung, Hill's own imaginative powers deepened and took flight with this very personal interpretation of Coleridge's great poem. The poem is narrated by Ben Kingsley, who is best known for his compelling dramatic performances. He, like Richard, envisions this work as both a symphonic poem and an orchestral ballet."

AFIM music MIX National Magazine

"Ran 3 minute feature with story on the poem and played the music up until closing credits - carried on NPR stations, also on website." 'All Things Considered'-National Syndicated Radio

"Played the whole thing, got a couple of calls from listeners who really enjoyed it! Played when the satellite went down." Huntsville

"What a wonderfully magical excursion from the humdrum! Fantastique! Keene, NH

"Featured on contemporary show, love it! Mobile, AL

"Like it a lot, great stuff, have used, fantastic, can't say enough about it, one that really jumps out at me." Cape Girardeau, MO

"Wonderful, played on a children's program." Gainesville, FL

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