Of course, Vangelis was used to the routine. Performing for Frederic Rossif and his nature documentaries was one of his earliest solo opportunities while living in France. Vangelis' Opera Sauvage stands on its own as a favorite album because of its variety and artistry put into it. It is so well-received that some of the songs on this album were used in a video entitled Portraits of Africa. It is this kind of music that might have influence other composers who do this kind of work to be like that... except they haven't been close to completely inmitating him!

[1] HYMNE (Hymn)
The thing that my dad found appealing about this piece is that you could play it on a cello. Of course, being an amateur cellist and an amateur musical scholar (or b.k.a. musical freak), that strucked me and it became a challenge. I had to transcribe the two-and-a-half-minute melody on a cello and it did work. Because of the fact that Vangelis' music could be transcribed, it excited and I'm currently trying other pieces. "Hymne" is bold, dramatic and makes an exhalation of its own. Of course, you never think of this piece as choral (this is… if you never heard of Portraits). This piece is like the cello… vocal!

[2] RÊVE (Dream)
This is one of my personal favorites. Vangelis has that way of being calm, quiet and cool. Vangelis takes, almost literally, to a dream-world were your senses can take you anywhere and your imagination can drive yourself to wherever. The soft sounds, the nice melody and the occasional cricket-like sounds will have you relaxed and calm which is probably why I like it. I remember listening to it a lot when I was a kid and it appealed to me. This is to all the dreamers.

[3] L'ENFANT (The Child)
It is usually around this point that my brain doesn't like the rest of the album because it has been so relaxed and so stimulated by the previous song. This one doesn't make think of a child appearing but it does make me think like a child. When a child looks at something for the first time, he would look at it with fascination and awe. That is what occurs to me. I could see myself on a boat sailing away (on an Italian river).

[4] MOUETTES (Seagulls)
I remember my fifteenth birthday. The family went to Bethany Beach, Delaware. I sat down on the beach and saw the shoreline before me. The music that was playing in my head, among other pieces, was this one. It makes me think of birds gliding or hte sensation of flying. It makes me daydream and think. I remember being seven years old and mezmerized by its simplicity and intricacy intervowen. That's how I feel about anyways...

[5] CHROMATIQUE (Chromatic)
I like this because on how it starts out and the way it is played. You can feel like you are in a faraway, mysterious land. "Chromatic" means "colorful" (Greek word: chroma meaning color) and, in music theory, refers to a scale which contains all naturals and all accidentals (sharps and flats), also called a dodecatonic (twelve tone) scale. It sounds like its name... chromatic. The word "chromatic" also entails a variety of emotions and expressions, which is what this piece does and what this man is all about.

[6] IRLANDE (Ireland)
The first thing you notice is the ringing bell that occurs. It makes me think of a cathedral. The simple piece and the way it is played makes me think of the Green Emerald. I always wanted to go there ever since I heard that my ancestors came from Ireland (specifically from Waterford County). It must be a nice place to visit and Vangelis convinces me that it is.

[7] FLAMANT ROSES (Pink Flamingos)
The first thing that can be noticed is the harp playing. The one thing you won't notice is that the harpist is no other than Jon Anderson. Of course, you might have found that out by looking at the credits! It makes me think of tranquil ponds with flowers dancing all around it. To me, it is beautiful. I also like the variety out into it like the tranquil and then, it heads straight for a kind fast pace virtuouso. My favorite part is at the end when the harp plays beautiful and it is a wonderful finish.