Sanvean
Encyclopedia
"Sanvean: I am your shadow" is a song co-written in September 1993 by Lisa Gerrard
and composer/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Claxton during rehearsals in Ireland
for the 1993 Dead Can Dance
international tour. Lisa Gerrard stated she wrote this song missing her family that had remained in Australia. Its first public performance was in Sligo
, Ireland and first recorded on their 1994 live album Toward the Within
, and later on Gerrard's 1995 solo album The Mirror Pool
and The Best of Lisa Gerrard in 2007. Like most of her work it is sung in a euphonic and emotional pseudo-language
.
It has become an iconic song through its frequent appearance on soundtracks eg Hermès
24 Faubourg advert 1995, UK Health Education Authority MMR
immunisation campaign 1998-2003, The West Wing TV drama episode 7A WF 83429
in 2003 and numerous Academy Award-nominated films. It is a favourite choice throughout the world for weddings, funerals and other solemn occasions.
Paul Oakenfold
also incorporated "Sanvean" into this 1999 release "Planet Perfecto Presents: Another World."
The Cadets
, a top five drum corps
in Allentown, Pennsylvania
, performed their own arrangement brass, percussion and solo vocal throughout the 2006 drum corps season. The use of amplification and the untraditional solo singer caused some controversy amongst drum corps fanatics. "Sanvean" is included in their 2006 recording Through the Looking Glass Part II.
A free right of use of the song was given in 2006 to the Dutch NGO 'Natuur en Milieu' (Nature and environment) for their campaign 'Geef natuur de ruimte' (make way for nature).
An almost complete live version appears in the third episode "Paradise Lost" of Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain
, first broadcast on 6 June 2007 on BBC2.
For many years it has also been performed internationally by Duo Spiritalis based in Switzerland
.
Sarah Brightman
, the world's best-selling soprano, included her own interpretation of "Sanvean" accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra
in her album Symphony
released in early 2008.
Lisa Gerrard
Lisa Gerrard is an Australian musician, singer, and composer who rose to prominence as part of the music group Dead Can Dance with former music partner Brendan Perry....
and composer/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Claxton during rehearsals in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
for the 1993 Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance
Dead Can Dance are an ethereal neoclassical duo formed in Melbourne, Australia, in August 1981, by Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry. The band relocated to London in May 1982 and disbanded in 1998. Their 1996 album Spiritchaser reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top World Music Albums Chart...
international tour. Lisa Gerrard stated she wrote this song missing her family that had remained in Australia. Its first public performance was in Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
, Ireland and first recorded on their 1994 live album Toward the Within
Toward the Within
Toward the Within is the only official live album of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard's group Dead Can Dance. It contains 15 songs, of which only four appeared on their previous albums, and two of which were later re-recorded and included on Lisa Gerrard's first solo album, The Mirror Pool...
, and later on Gerrard's 1995 solo album The Mirror Pool
The Mirror Pool
- External links :* with samples* at Dead-Can-Dance.com...
and The Best of Lisa Gerrard in 2007. Like most of her work it is sung in a euphonic and emotional pseudo-language
Glossolalia
Glossolalia or speaking in tongues is the fluid vocalizing of speech-like syllables, often as part of religious practice. The significance of glossolalia has varied with time and place, with some considering it a part of a sacred language...
.
It has become an iconic song through its frequent appearance on soundtracks eg Hermès
Hermès
Hermès International S.A., or simply Hermès is a French high fashion house established in 1837, today specializing in leather, lifestyle accessories, perfumery, luxury goods, and ready-to-wear...
24 Faubourg advert 1995, UK Health Education Authority MMR
MMR vaccine
The MMR vaccine is an immunization shot against measles, mumps, and rubella . It was first developed by Maurice Hilleman while at Merck in the late 1960s....
immunisation campaign 1998-2003, The West Wing TV drama episode 7A WF 83429
7A WF 83429
"7A WF 83429" is episode 89 of The West Wing. 7A WF 83429 is the control number assigned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to Zoey's kidnapping case.-Plot:...
in 2003 and numerous Academy Award-nominated films. It is a favourite choice throughout the world for weddings, funerals and other solemn occasions.
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
also incorporated "Sanvean" into this 1999 release "Planet Perfecto Presents: Another World."
The Cadets
The Cadets
The Cadets can refer to one of the following:* The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps* The Cadets * The Cadets - 10-part Russian TV series dealing with the Battle of Stalingrad...
, a top five drum corps
Drum and bugle corps (modern)
A drum and bugle corps, also known as a drum corps, is a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, drum corps perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions...
in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
, performed their own arrangement brass, percussion and solo vocal throughout the 2006 drum corps season. The use of amplification and the untraditional solo singer caused some controversy amongst drum corps fanatics. "Sanvean" is included in their 2006 recording Through the Looking Glass Part II.
A free right of use of the song was given in 2006 to the Dutch NGO 'Natuur en Milieu' (Nature and environment) for their campaign 'Geef natuur de ruimte' (make way for nature).
An almost complete live version appears in the third episode "Paradise Lost" of Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain
Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain
Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain is a 2007 BBC documentary television series presented by Andrew Marr that covers the period of British history from the end of the Second World War onwards...
, first broadcast on 6 June 2007 on BBC2.
For many years it has also been performed internationally by Duo Spiritalis based in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
Sarah Brightman
Sarah Brightman
Sarah Brightman is an English classical crossover soprano, actress, songwriter and dancer. She is famous for possessing a vocal range of over 3 octaves and singing in the whistle register...
, the world's best-selling soprano, included her own interpretation of "Sanvean" accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
in her album Symphony
Symphony (album)
Symphony is an album from the English Soprano singer Sarah Brightman, released in January 2008 . This classical crossover album is a contrast to her previous collaboration with producer Frank Peterson, 2003's Harem; using more Gothic influences instead of Eastern."Running" was the IAAF's Green...
released in early 2008.
External links
- video of original live performance on 17 Nov 1993 in The Mayfair Theatre, Santa Monica. Lisa Gerrard vocals, Andrew Claxton solo keyboard
- 1995 video directed by Nigel Grierson
- 2006 video of live outdoor performance by The Cadets, starts at 01:21
- 2006 video of dutch NGO Natuur and Milieu
- website of Lisa Gerrard
- webpage of Sarah Brightman's Symphony album
- webpage of Duo Spiritalis
- webpage of DJ Taucher's Child of the Universe clips