Lamomali Secret Garden

Lush, gorgeous, colorful and moving would be only be a few of the many adjectives that would still not describe the full wonders of the Garden of Eden. But these would accurately describe this album from pianist Rolf Lovland and violinist Fionnula Sherry better known to us as Secret Garden. Filled with classically influenced melancholy melodies that we have come to expect from this musical couple, the album also includes uplifting Celtic jigs, the occasional stirring vocal rendition, and even a hymn of praise to close the album out in grand and graceful style.

On their second album, duo Secret Garden play with the conventions of Celtic and neo-classical music, weaving in unexpected elements like Spanish guitars and Eastern European folk melodies as their muse dictates. Norwegian pianist Rolf Lovland composes striking instrumentals for which Fionnuala Sherry's violin supplies the lead voice. Just about every song here features a lavish orchestral arrangement, but it's Sherry's violin that speaks loudest and touches the heart most tenderly. Her fluid, emotive technique shines on tracks like "Appassionata," and is made all the more admirable knowing that she was recovering from serious injuries and in great physical pain during the recording sessions.
The overall mood is weighty, heart-centered, providing a supportive background for personal reflection…

Secret Garden's formula is plain to hear. They have the lush string orchestrations of Yanni, the layered vocals of Clannad and Enya, and the stage-show Celtica of Riverdance. In the past these elements have weighed down the music of Irish violinist Fionuala Sherry and Norwegian keyboardist Rolf Lovland with a sweetness that would make tiramisu taste like poi. On Dawn of a New Century, they finally dance closer to the line that divides schlock from serenity, beauty from the banal. Capercaillie singer Karen Matheson gives a haunting vocal performance on "Prayer," surrounded by Clannad-like harmonies. "Children of the River" is a cinematic expanse with Asian overtones, while "Lore of the Loom" swoops through orchestral landscapes that could be Ireland or Norway. But there's also the hokey faux-Baroque of "Divertimento" and the title piece, which could stand in for "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing."

Over the last 15 years Secret Garden has sold over a million albums in the U.S. and an additional 4 million outside. From their first CD Songs From a Secret Garden which featured Nocturne, through albums White Stones and Dawn of a New Century , and Once in a Red Moon , the group has had a consistent presence on the U.S. charts. Their songs have been successfully covered by Barbra Streisand ( Heartstrings / I ve Dreamed Of You), Josh Groban and II Divo ( You Raise Me Up ), among others.

Secret Garden is the eighth and next full-length studio album by Brazilian progressive/power metal band Angra, to be released on 17 December 2014 in Japan and in January 2015 in Brazil and Europe. The album was produced and recorded in Sweden by Jens Bogren, with pre-production by Roy Z, and will be the band's first work with drummer Bruno Valverde, as well as the first studio effort with vocalist Fabio Lione. The album will also feature vocals by guitarist Rafael Bittencourt and some guest performances by Dutch singer Simone Simons (Epica) and German singer Doro Pesch.