| "Whispers in a Dream" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Hayley Westenra | |
| from the album Paradiso | |
| Released | 18 April 2011 |
| Recorded | 2010 |
| Genre | Classical |
| Length | 4:27 |
| Label | Universal Decca |
| Songwriter(s) | Hayley Westenra |
| Producer(s) | Ennio Morricone |
"Whispers in a Dream" is a Christian hymn, written in 2011, by Christchurch Anglican soprano and songwriter, Hayley Westenra. It was recorded as the first song on the international album Paradiso . [1] [2] It was released worldwide on 18 April 2011, beginning with New Zealand. [3]
Speaking about the hymn, Westenra mentioned in some interviews that she was not only inspired by "Gabriel's Oboe" (the theme from the 1986 film classic The Mission ), but also contributed lyrics to "Whispers In A Dream" (music: "Gabriel’s Oboe"), with her genuine wish for world peace. [4] [5] The tune of the hymn was from "Gabriel's Oboe" – the main theme for the 1986 film The Mission, written by Italian composer Ennio Morricone. [6]
On 17 July 2011, classical singer Hayley Westenra talked about cooperation with world-renowned composers in Paradiso, when she was interviewed by Terry Wogan, and performed live for a BBC Radio 2 program, with the track "Whispers In A Dream". [7] [8] On 1 September, Premier Christian Radio interviewed Westenra about recording Paradiso with Morricone and an orchestra in Rome. [9] On 15 September, Westenra appeared as a guest star on the popular Italian reality TV show for children, "Io Canto" (Canale 5), and sang "Whispers In A Dream" with last year's winner,[ clarification needed ] Benedetta Caretta. [10] In October, BBC programme Songs of Praise broadcast a performance of "Whispers In A Dream" by Westenra in Salisbury Cathedral. [11] [12] On 5 December 2011 Westenra performed "Whispers In A Dream" on the Royal Variety Performance show, in the presence of The Princess Royal. [13] [14] During the Paradiso Homecoming Tour, Westenra performed "Whispers In A Dream" in concert, traveling to New Zealand, eastern Asia, and the United Kingdom. [15]
Ennio Morricone was an Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, trumpeter, and pianist who wrote music in a wide range of styles. With more than 400 scores for cinema and television, as well as more than 100 classical works, Morricone is widely considered one of the most prolific and greatest film composers of all time. He has received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, three Grammy Awards, three Golden Globes, six BAFTAs, ten David di Donatello, eleven Nastro d'Argento, two European Film Awards, the Golden Lion Honorary Award, and the Polar Music Prize in 2010.
Hayley Dee Westenra is a New Zealand classical crossover singer. Her first internationally released album, Pure, reached number one on the UK classical charts in 2003 and has sold more than two million copies worldwide, making it one of the fastest selling albums in her country's history.
Sir Bryn Terfel Jones, is a Welsh bass-baritone opera and concert singer. Terfel was initially primarily associated with the roles of Mozart, particularly Figaro, Leporello and Don Giovanni, and has subsequently shifted his attention to heavier roles, especially those by Puccini and Wagner.
Pure is the first internationally released album by Christchurch, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. It became the highest selling New Zealand Album, which Westenra was awarded by at the New Zealand Music Awards of 2004. It was published by the Decca Music Group label in 2003. It was distributed in the United States by Universal Classics in 2004. During its first week of sales it sold 19,068 copies. As of 2007, Pure is the best selling classical album for the 21st century in the UK, and in New Zealand remains the best selling album from a New Zealand artist.
Giles Martin is an English record producer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. His studio recordings, stage shows, TV and film works have been critically acclaimed and commercially successful around the world. He is the son of Beatles producer George Martin and half-brother of actor Gregory Paul Martin.
The Mission is the soundtrack from the film of the same name, composed, orchestrated, conducted and produced by Ennio Morricone. The work combines liturgical chorales, native drumming, and Spanish-influenced guitars, often in the same track, in an attempt to capture the varying cultures depicted in the film. The main theme, "Falls", remains one of Morricone's most memorable pieces, and has been used in numerous commercials since its original release. The Italian song "Nella Fantasia" is based on the theme "Gabriel's Oboe" and has been recorded by multiple artists including, Sarah Brightman, Amici Forever, Il Divo, Russell Watson, Hayley Westenra, Jackie Evancho, Katherine Jenkins, Amira Willighagen and Yasuto Tanaka.
"Gabriel's Oboe" is the main theme for the 1986 film The Mission, with Robert de Niro, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson and directed by Roland Joffé. The theme was written by Italian composer Ennio Morricone, and has since been arranged and performed several times by artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Holly Gornik, and Brynjar Hoff, among others. The theme has been called "unforgettable" and a "celebrated oboe melody". Vocalist Sarah Brightman convinced Morricone to allow her to set lyrics to the theme to create her own song, "Nella Fantasia". In 2010, Morricone encouraged soprano Hayley Westenra to write English lyrics for "Gabriel's Oboe" in her album Paradiso.
Alfred Giovanni Roncalli Boe is an English actor and singer who performs primarily in musical theatre.
We All Love Ennio Morricone is a 2007 tribute album honoring noted film composer Ennio Morricone. It features a diverse lineup of artists including Andrea Bocelli, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, Roger Waters, and Celine Dion. Also, industry giant Quincy Jones, an admirer of Morricone's work as a composer for many years, enlisted his longtime songwriting collaborators Alan and Marilyn Bergman to write the lyrics to "I Knew I Loved You", which Dion sang to Morricone's "Deborah's Theme" from Once Upon a Time in America. Bruce Springsteen won the Grammy Award Best Rock Instrumental Performance for his version of "Once Upon A Time In The West", beating out Metallica who was nominated for their cover of "The Ecstasy of Gold", also from this album. The album sold over 120,000 copies in Italy alone
Treasure is the third internationally released album by Christchurch, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra, released in 2007. The album celebrates Westenra's Irish roots by covering Irish songs like "Danny Boy" and religious classics like "Whispering Hope", "The Heart Worships", while also including three new songs which Hayley has co-written.
"World in Union" is a theme song for the Rugby World Cup. Its melody is "Thaxted", from the middle section of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity", a movement from Gustav Holst's The Planets, using words by Sir Cecil Spring Rice.
River of Dreams: The Very Best of Hayley Westenra is a Greatest hits album released in UK and New Zealand by Christchurch soprano Hayley Westenra.
Live From New Zealand is a live high quality video album (DVD) and PBS Great Performances special by Christchurch, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra and featured duet with baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes and soprano Sophie Westenra. It was recorded in St. James Theatre, Wellington and published in 2004.
Paradiso is a studio album by New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra, in collaboration with Italian maestro Ennio Morricone. It was released worldwide beginning 18 April 2011 in New Zealand.
Paradiso Homecoming Tour is a concert tour by New Zealand classical crossover singer Hayley Westenra.
"Here's to You" is a song by Ennio Morricone and Joan Baez, released in 1971 as part of the soundtrack of the film Sacco & Vanzetti, directed by Giuliano Montaldo. The song was written by Baez and Morricone themselves. The lyrics are only four lines of text, sung over and over. In the United States and internationally, the song became a veritable symbol for the human rights movement of the 1970s.
Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra is an Italian orchestra founded in 1993, which began a collaboration with the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Since 1995, the orchestra is best known for its key role in bringing to life the music of Ennio Morricone during his live performances and on Morricone’s film scores.
Hushabye is the sixth international studio album by Christchurch, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. The album consists of lullabies and other gentle songs, and is intended to be a calming experience for both children and adults; Westenra sang closer to the microphone than normal in order to create an appropriate atmosphere.
