There is something about music that makes it the most universal language of all. Every culture has made some connection with music in their own way. They used it to tell stories, pass on traditions, be expressive or (in the case of the Western world) make money. Mask is a very interesting piece because one will obviously interpret it as an "anthropological" work. It some respects, it is. Vangelis uses the power of synthesizers and a full choir to produce another great work, which I interpret as a work portraying another culture. Or if you wish, any culture will do. Remember the above quote.

[1] MOVEMENT I
The only good thing about my final year in junior high school (and pretty much the only thing) was studying Civics (which is basically an introduction to the major social sciences... politics, government, philosophy, economics and anthropology). Now, when I listen to this album, I can imagine the lessons I had in this civics class. This song, I imagine the culture trying to tell the story of their beginnings (using their sui generis) which makes it an electronic Rite of Spring (by Igor Stravinsky). For those people who hate Stravinsky's music, I apologize for that analogy. There is a lot of power and a lot of choral strength (thanks to the baritones and sopranos)

[2] MOVEMENT II
There was a documentary that I found at the library and it was called Portrait of Africa. It contained Vangelis music (made up about the majority of the movie) inculding this song. The first scenes of the movie (accompanied by this song) were of the Serengeti and it was absolutely gorgeous. If we use our "anthroplogical" theme to this album, you could say that this "culture" is praising to its nature gods. After all, the American definition of culture is a group's adaption to its environment.

[3] MOVEMENT III
This one, I can imagine one of two things that it could "describe." The first thing it could describe is a battle, whether it be a recent war with a nearby tribe or a spiritual battle (good vs. evil). The other thing it could describe is the idea of the universe. The two accepted views of the universe uses Greek words... cosmos and chaos. Both, I believe, are one and the same thing in this messed-up universe. Great song and it is full of intensity.

[4] MOVEMENT IV
This one I do not really like because seven-eighths of the entire song is just the same thing over and over again. This one could be interpreted as a seduction or wedding song. It could also illustrate the routineness of daily life (which the great V will talk about it later with The City). The last eighth of the song reminds me of the score to From Nuremberg to Nuremberg when they talk about the bombing of Dresden (13-15 February 1945).

[5] MOVEMENT V
This one could symbolize the end. It could mean the end of this "culture" by something horrible like famine, plague, some weather catastrophe or something like Cortes' conquistadors. I also believe it is structured like the book of Revelation. The first part is the destruction of the earth, the middle is the thousand years of peace and the third is the final battle and the end of the world.

[6] MOVEMENT VI
This song holds a special place in my mind and heart. This song gives a sense of closure and enlightened your spirit. I can even imagine this written for a string orchestra (like Mahler's Adagietto from his Fifth Symphony). It is very suttle and very lovely. This album could also make it a cycle (like what the Hindi believe in) if you let the whole thing repeat. I like it a lot and there is not much I could add! Honest!