An avatar of orchestral synthesis for 30 years, Vangelis has only now made his full orchestral outing with the ambitious and epic Mythodea. Currently linked as theme music for NASA's Mission to Mars program, Mythodea dates back to 1993, when Vangelis premiered the work in a live performance. After the amorphous synthesizer opening, Vangelis is little-heard, using his keyboards only to support the large orchestra, 100-voice mixed choir, massed timpani, and the twin soprano leads of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman. Echoes of Gustav Holst, Gustav Mahler, and Carl Orff suffuse Mythodea, with its stentorian choirs, rumbling percussion, and dense string writing. Singing a hybrid language, Norman and Battle spiral through Vangelis's evocation of an ancient Greek landscape. By turns smothering and grandiose, and often turgid, Mythodea is nevertheless studded with memorable themes, notably "Movement 9." It's a poignant, haunting melody, with the sopranos looping back and forth in ascending arcs, recalling Delibes's aria from "Lakmé," better known as the British Airways theme. This is the Vangelis of "L'Enfant," and "Heaven & Hell," where the composer's true voice is heard. –John Diliberto

Gino D'Auri, world renown flamenco guitarist, has died of cancer at his Los Angeles home on 26 January 2007. "These days, many people think that flamenco is about playing sixty thousand notes as quickly as possible. My flamenco is slower, very traditional and down to earth. I may use cello and percussion, but its done in a traditional way, without a lot of notes. For me the music is about feeling and improvisation. I like to take chances, the communication is better that way." ~Gino D'Auri

I love this recording and have listened to it again and again. Donna Summer's cover of "State of Independence" is inspirational, anthemic, but the musicians here obviously have a lot of fun as well. The title song is a wonderful tip of the hat to forties films. The Spanish singer, Ana Belen, was moved by "I'll find my way home," a song which she covered on "Geminis." "Back to School" is silly and grating, but provides comic relief. For me, however, the most spectacular track is "The Mayflower," which beautifully captures the loneliness of human existence, the desperate need to leave the comfort of home, and the alienating effect of technology on our lives. A group of humans are marooned in space, unable to communicate with or return to Earth. Atmospheric music and the innocence of Jon Anderson's tenor are punctuated by a crackling of radio transmissions across vast distances. It is such a sad, beautiful work of art. For fans of Vangelis at his loveliest, there are a couple of other tracks sure to please, "Beside" and "Outside of This (Inside of That)."