Popol Vuh - Aguirre (OST)
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Artist: Popol Vuh
Album: Aguirre
Released: May 4, 2004
SPV / catalog 701402
Genre: Electronica/Kraut Rock/Ethnic Fusion
Reviews
A German Legend...We thought we'd stock some of these classics If you are looking for something different try one of these albums. You won't be disappointed. Moogs, Mellotrons, guitars etc. Electric and acoustic instuments blended to create this masterpiece....The bands 5th album that was used as the sound track to a film in the mid '70's.
Delerium's Psychedelic Web
Aguirre gathers recordings made between 1972 and 1974 embodying the distinctive characteristics of Popol Vuh's early-'70s sonic identity: austere analog synth textures that inspired subsequent ambient artists and organically crafted, ethnically nuanced proto-new age music. The most memorable material here derives from the soundtrack to Werner Herzog's film Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes, which chronicles an ill-fated 16th century Spanish quest for El Dorado. The film's central motif blends pulsing Moog and spectral voices conjured from Florian Fricke's Mellotron-related "choir organ" to achieve something sublime, in the truest sense of the word: it's hard not to find the music's awe-inspiring, overwhelming beauty simultaneously unsettling. The power of the legendary opening sequence of Herzog's film (a breathtaking shot of the conquistadors descending a mountain path, dwarfed by the natural beauty that ultimately consumes them) owes as much to Popol Vuh's music as it does to the director's mise-en-scène. This musical motif appears in two slightly different incarnations: "Aguirre I," which closes with Andean pipes, and "Aguirre II," featuring Daniel Fichelscher's soaring guitar melodies. Elsewhere, the cosmic sensibility of those tracks is replaced with an earthbound orientation, but the results are no less mesmerizing. Built around acoustic guitars and percussion (and a fleeting contribution from vocalist Djong Yun), the 15-minute triptych "Vergegenwärtigung" blurs the boundaries between East and West while incorporating nuances of early music. The album also includes "Morgengruß II" and "Agnus Dei," versions of which appeared on Einsjäger & Siebenjäger. Compared with In den Gärten Pharaos or Hosianna Mantra, Aguirre doesn't stand up as a consistently great album, but that's not to say that it doesn't contain some great pieces of music. [SPV's 2004 reissue includes another version of the soundtrack's main theme.]
by Wilson Neate
The album 'Aguirre' is a sort of hodge-podge collection of music showcasing two different Popol Vuh styles. However, in my humble opinion, the track 'Aguirre' is one of the greatest soundtrack pieces of all-time and certainly a true gem of the Krautrock genre. My first exposure to the track was while viewing Werner Herzog's 'Aguirre: The Wrath Of God'. This film opens with the title audio track and an incredible establishing pan shot of a misty mountain. Together, they blend beautifully and create a majestic atmosphere unlike anything else I have ever viewed. The track itself dates back to 1972 during the time when Florian Fricke was still interested in electronic music, in particular moogs and mellotrons. My words can not describe how beautiful this track is and I can only suggest that you take time to track the song down as it appears on a few compilation albums. The rest of the album was recorded sometime in 1974 and these tracks showcase the stylish mid-period Popol Vuh meditative approach dominated by Fichelscher's outstanding guitar work. It is worth mentioning that the Spalax CD release of the album plays a dirty trick on the consumer. Track 5, 'Vergegenwaertitung', was originally an electronic Fricke piece circa 1972. The track found here on the CD, while retaining the same title, is apparently, a pastiche edit of what sounds like three tracks (probably unused tracks from Einsjager) which display the meditative mid-period Vuh approach featuring Djong Yun on vocals. Overall, it is a strong cut, but as a completest, I would much rather have the original electronic track.
Krautrock Album Database
Aguirre is an absolute masterpiece in the electronic-space genre and in all kind of meditative, celestial music. None other records in popular music can equalize this classic in term of implication in beauty. The choir played on the Moog we can hear on the title track is incredible. It's definitely transcending music, the ascending music to heaven.
With the next tracks we come back to the unique and special psych-folk compositions which represents the mark of the band. Very floating and dreamy.
2003. Philippe / France for Groove Unlimited catalogue
New reissue of this Hertzog-associated soundtrack work. One new bonus track ("Aguire III"), but does not include the other bonus tracks found on the previous Spalax edition (it's only right & natural, confusion has reigned over the PV soundtrack releases forever). Either way, this is a great PV release and you might as well buy it again.
"Originally released 1974. Recorded at Bavaria Tonstudio, Munich. From ultra spacy music coming from another worlds, to cosmic krautrock with super acoustic guitars, flutes, delicate rhythms including tabla and more..." Featuring the trio of: Florian Fricke (piano), Daniel Fichelscher (guitar, percussion), Djong Yun (vocals). Tracklisting: 'Aguirre I (L'acrime di rei), 'Morgengruss II', 'Aguire II', 'Agnus Dei', 'Vergegenwärtigung', bonus track: 'Aguire III'.
Forced Exposure Reviews Page
Track List:
1.-Aguirre I (L'acrime Di Rei) 7:23
2.-Morgengruss II 2:56
3.-Aguirre II 6:16
4.-Agnus Dei 3:03
5.-Vergegenwärtigung 16:51
6.-Aguirre III 7:16 (Bonus Track)
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