Portraits of Colorado: The Making of a Modern American Symphony - DVD
The composer was masterful at choosing the visual effects to go with his music. I closed my eyes many times during the symphonic sections of the video and could still see the images of the mountains and water falls. Could have given a 5 star if this were in HD video and 5.1 surround sound.
The Film Portraits of Colorado is a virtual feast for the senses, a visceral masterpiece. It invited me to truly experience the story of a symphony and the sound of the Rocky Mountains. The mesmerizing teamwork of artists and technicians led by Charles Denler, Scott O'Neill, and Steve Greisen beckoned me beyond the mere passive posture of listening to a performance or watching a film. In addition to witnessing the authentically human journey of a composer, I lingered with the smell of wildflowers, inhaled the mist of a canyon waterfall, felt the rumbling of a running herd of buffalo, and squinted as mountain peaks relinquished a sunrise.
Further, I was invited into the dance that happens when humanity embraces the beauty of nature, and nature actually returns the gesture with the sum of the impact being far greater than the individual parts. The majesty of the music and images partnered to amplify our ability as human beings to enter into the heart-nourishing power of Beauty.
You can almost see the red sunsets, the golden clouds scudding across the Rocky Mountain skies, the icy rivulets running through alpine valleys, the wild horses running in slow motion and smell the high pine forests, such is the pictorial, film-score quality of the 28-minute Portraits, and rightly so since Denler is a well-established and award-winning composer of scores for films, documentaries, television programs and themes for television networks and programs.
It has been over 20 years since my last trip to Colorado, but this music paints a vivid and deeply affectionate picture of the incredible beauty on display there. I purposefully declined to read the movement titles, to try and allow the music to talk. It does, and clearly. Each movement is under five minutes, but every one has a distinct character, with a majestic and touching theme running through the entire piece. It's very much in keeping with Denler's need to appeal to the masses. Part traditional symphony, with echoes of a film score, the solo contributions, choral work, and additional instrumentals are all superb. The Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Chorus pour their hearts into this music, and the sonic quality is naturally as clear and crisp as mountain air. The six variations for violin and piano share the same theme as the symphony, and are lovingly rendered by Hwang-Williams and the composer. - Brian Wigman
“…evocative music well-played and well-recorded..an ambitious work for orchestra and chorus”
–Mel Martin / Audiophile Audition
I loved this movie! Now I have two great artists that have invited me into their lives. They have both used their awesome ability to emote the finest art of their generation. Steve Greisen's movie is incredible! It is the greatest display of Charles' masterpiece of sound that one could imagine. I have to speak of the photography. The photography of the Colorado Rockies's the best I have ever seen. And, again Steve's rendering of Charles' music is a visual display of greatness. This whole experience is, as Charlie put into words, truly a work of God. Thank you both for inviting me to join this great Odyssey. – Jerry Malzhah – Artist featured in the film and cover design
"Charles Denler’s music reflects the beauty, and majesty of our dramatic Rocky Mountains, and even nature itself. His symphony, PORTRAITS OF COLORADO has helped our television commercials bring the awesome beauty of Colorado to the world."
Al White
President Colorado Tourism
