Hayley Dee Westenra is a New Zealand classical crossover singer and songwriter. 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.
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.
Odyssey is the second internationally published album by Hayley Westenra. Her other previous albums, with the exception of Pure, were released only in New Zealand and Australia. It was published by the Decca Music Group label in 2005.
"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, and was originally adapted by Holst for its use in the British/Anglican patriotic hymn, "I Vow to Thee, My Country", using words by Sir Cecil Spring Rice.
"Il Silenzio" is an instrumental piece, with a small spoken Italian lyric, notable for its trumpet theme. It was written in 1965 by trumpet player Nini Rosso, its thematic melody being an extension of the same Italian Cavalry bugle call used by Russian composer Tchaikovsky to open his Capriccio Italien. It has become a worldwide instrumental standard that has sold around 10 million copies. It was a number-one hit in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and sold over five million copies by the end of 1967. Rosso was awarded a gold disc. On 9 January 1965, it reached the number-two position in Australia and stayed in the charts for 19 weeks, and in the United Kingdom it peaked at number eight on the Record Retailer singles chart. In the United States, it reached number 32 in the Billboard Easy Listening charts. In Canada, the song reached number 24 in the RPM Adult Contemporary charts.
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.
Winter Magic is a Christmas album by Christchurch, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. The album was called Christmas Magic in some territories, and was released in Japan as Winter Magic: Fuyu No Kagayaki – Koibito Tachi No Pure Voice. The album features traditional Christmas songs and more contemporary Christmas songs.
Hayley Sings Japanese Songs is an album by Christchurch, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. The album contains Westenra's interpretations of traditional and popular contemporary Japanese songs. Some of the songs have been translated into English while others were kept in Japanese.
Hayley Sings Japanese Song 2 is, as the title suggests, the second Japanese-themed album by Christchurch, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. Like its predecessor, the album contains Westenra's interpretations of traditional and popular contemporary Japanese songs. Some of the songs have been translated into English while others were sung in Japanese.
David Downes is a composer, pianist, producer, and music director who is known for both contemporary composition as well as work in the commercial field, particularly with Riverdance and as founder of Celtic Woman.
This is the discography of New Zealand-born classical crossover singer Hayley Westenra.
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.
The Best of Pure Voice is an international album by Christchurch, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. It was released in both standard and limited editions in Japan, and in other Asian areas as a regular CD, on 29 June 2010.
And the Waltz Goes On is a studio album by Dutch violinist André Rieu that features Christchurch soprano Hayley Westenra on the last track, "Dreaming of New Zealand".
"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. It was released worldwide on 18 April 2011, beginning with New Zealand.
Celtic Woman: An Irish Journey is a greatest hits album by the group Celtic Woman, released on October 3, 2011. This album was released exclusively in France.
The Official New Zealand Music Chart is the weekly New Zealand top 40 singles and albums charts, issued weekly by Recorded Music NZ. The Music Chart also includes the top-20 New Zealand artist singles and albums and top 10 compilation albums. All charts are compiled from data of both physical and digital sales from music retailers in New Zealand.
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.
