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Time, place, and content come together nicely in this concert extravaganza, spectacularly produced by German light-show specialists Art in Heaven and featuring guitarist-keyboardist Mike Oldfield and a cast of thousands (well, dozens) performing in Siegessaule Square in Berlin on New Year's Eve 1999. Totaling about one hour, the show is divided between "classic songs" (including a brief version of "Tubular Bells," still by far Oldfield's best-known piece) and "Millennium Bell songs." The latter are a bit more beat-heavy than Oldfield's earlier work, but for the most part his accessible New Age/progressive sound remains intact; unfortunately, the fact that Oldfield helped pioneer that style doesn't keep it from sounding a bit dated. This couldn't have been one his most comfortable gigs--it's disconcerting to see the musicians' breath, or watch them wearing overcoats, furry hats, and even gloves--but the huge crowd remains enraptured throughout. Bonus DVD features include an Oldfield interview. --Sam Graham

Product Description

Berlin welcomes the new millennium with the world's most spectacular light show, set to the timeless music of Mike Oldfield performing live in concert. The sky above Berlin turns into a unique pyramid of light, with more than half a million spectators experiencing this superlative show at the foot of Berlin's beautiful Victory Column. Oldfield performs several of his legendary classics, including "Tubular Bells," "Moonlight Shadow" and "Shadow on the Wall," as well as the premiere of his album, The Millennium Bell, climaxing in the special "Art in Heaven." Also featuring the State Orchestra and the Glinka State Choir of St. Petersburg, this amazing event of art, culture and music commemorates the start of the new millennium in spectacular style! Songs: Tubular Bells, Portsmouth, Moonlight Shadow, Secrets, Shadows on the Wall, Sunilght Shining through Cloud, The Doge's Palace, Mastermind, Broad Sunlit Uplands, Liberation, Amber Light, The Millennium Bell, Art in Heaven., ISBN13: B00008RH0I ISBN10: B00008RH0I Material Type: dvd