Leave it to the Russian label Electroshock to release this album without the tiniest liner note explaining what it contains. Even those of have heard the previous collections of music by
Edward Artemiev (still best known for his soundtracks to Tarkovsky's classic films Solaris and Stalker) will be at odds figuring out what this bombastic piece of symphonic rock is. "Ode to the Herald of Good," the first (and longest) of these
Three odes, was written for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. It is structured in seven parts and calls for an array of synthesizers (performed by
Artemiev), a lead singer (Gennadiy Trofimov), a rock group (
Boomerang), a classical chamber ensemble (Melody), an orchestra, and three different choirs. It sounds like one of
Rick Wakeman's pompous mid-'70s extravaganzas, but written by a keyboardist more fond of
Tangerine Dream. The lyrics, sung by the classically trained Trofimov, are translations of writings by Pierre De Coubertin. The piece has all the qualities and flaws of such grandiose undertakings -- including highly compressed sound messing things up whenever the intensity (or pomposity) level rises. Those looking for more of
Artemiev's delicate electronic music will be disappointed. The CD is rounded up by two more odes (dates unspecified). "Phantom From Mongolia" is a beautiful piece blending Mongolian themes (female singer uncredited) with more "typical" electronics. "There & Here" is a smoochy orchestral musical-type piece (think
Andrew Lloyd Webber). Be warned.