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O sucesso arrebatador de Tubular Bells, álbum de estreia de Mike Oldfield, é algo amplamente reconhecido, superando todas as expectativas. Esse êxito inesperado, no entanto, trouxe consigo um peso esmagador, levando o jovem músico a se refugiar em uma casa de campo isolada, situada na fronteira entre o País de Gales e a Inglaterra, nas encostas da magnífica colina de Hergest Ridge. Essa paisagem inspiradora não apenas proporcionou a Mike o isolamento que tanto desejava, mas também emprestou seu nome ao seu segundo álbum. Acredito que, emocionalmente despreparado para lidar com a intensa demanda de sua crescente fama, entrevistas incessantes e as muitas pressões que o assolaram, Oldfield encontrou na reclusão a única maneira de se proteger e de preservar sua sanidade enquanto compunha sua próxima obra.
Livre das pressões externas e em contato apenas com músicos convidados, Oldfield se dedicou de corpo e alma ao processo criativo. Tenho a ligeira suspeita de que ele passou muitas horas vagando pelas belas paisagens costeiras, transpondo suas impressões para a música de forma magistral. Afinal, não é difícil para quem ouve Hergest Ridge, fechar os olhos e sentir-se transportado para montanhas distantes e visualizar um belo pôr do sol ou seguir o movimento suave das nuvens no céu. A música de Oldfield tem essa capacidade de evocar imagens e emoções com uma intensidade única.
Desde a primeira vez que ouvi o disco, fui arrebatado por uma paixão instantânea e profunda. Nada descreve melhor meu sentimento ao entrar em contato com essa obra do que o impacto avassalador que ela teve sobre mim. Rapidamente percebi a grandiosidade e a importância do que eu estava ouvindo, ao ponto de me pegar assobiando suas melodias por semanas a fio.
Hergest Ridge Parte 1 começa de forma abrupta, com um coro sustentado por instrumentos de sopro que criam uma sonoridade quase mágica, introduzindo o ouvinte ao mundo interior de Oldfield. A percussão sutil marca o início da melodia principal, que emerge com uma força otimista e é explorada com uma delicadeza incomparável, uma das marcas mais distintivas da carreira de Mike. Ondas de metais e guitarras acústicas flutuam harmoniosamente, criando uma atmosfera de solidão e clareza que é simplesmente hipnotizante. Na metade da peça, a música mergulha em um riff de baixo pulsante e sintetizadores que conferem uma sensação de mistério e curiosidade, impulsionando o ouvinte a um clímax emocional arrebatador. Sinos e órgãos oníricos, acompanhados por um coro edificante conduzem a peça a uma conclusão quase espiritual, deixando o ouvinte com uma sensação de despedida.
Hergest Ridge Parte 2 inicia-se de maneira delicada e melancólica. As guitarras, inicialmente suaves, ganham força e conduzem o ouvinte por uma jornada musical de superação, acentuada pela presença imponente do coro. Como na primeira parte, uma atmosfera de incerteza permeia a música com o tema principal retornando em um órgão solitário, antes de a peça adentrar em territórios mais sombrios acompanhada por um trabalho de órgão e flauta que evocam um senso de insegurança. De forma inesperada, a música explode em um frenesi conhecido pelos fãs de Oldfield como “a tempestade de Hergest Ridge” – uma batalha prolongada de guitarras distorcidas e camadas de fuzz que expressam frustração e estresse, mas que ao mesmo tempo mantêm um controle firme, sugerindo que mesmo no caos há ordem. Quando a tempestade atinge seu ápice, a música retorna a um estado sereno, com guitarras acústicas, cordas e coro, encerrando a obra de forma introspectiva e contemplativa, como um resumo do que foi vivenciado e uma reflexão sobre o futuro.
Hergest Ridge é uma das realizações mais notáveis de Mike Oldfield. Repleto de emoção, texturas únicas, instrumentações brilhantes e performances excepcionais, o álbum vai além do simples ouvir – é uma experiência a ser sentida e compreendida. A capacidade de Oldfield de despertar o senso interpretativo do ouvinte, mesmo em composições instrumentais é impressionante, reafirmando que sua música transcende o som, alcançando um nível de profundidade que poucos artistas conseguem.
================================The overwhelming success of Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield's debut album, is widely recognized, far exceeding all expectations. However, this unexpected triumph brought with it a crushing weight, leading the young musician to seek refuge in an isolated country house on the border between Wales and England, nestled in the slopes of the magnificent Hergest Ridge. This inspiring landscape not only provided Mike with the isolation he so desired but also lent its name to his second album. I believe that, emotionally unprepared to deal with the intense demands of his growing fame, relentless interviews, and the many pressures that beset him, Oldfield found seclusion to be the only way to protect himself and preserve his sanity while composing his next work.
Free from external pressures and in contact only with guest musicians, Oldfield dedicated himself entirely to the creative process. I have a strong suspicion that he spent many hours wandering through the beautiful coastal landscapes, transposing his impressions into music masterfully. After all, it's not difficult for anyone listening to Hergest Ridge to close their eyes and feel transported to distant mountains, visualize a beautiful sunset, or follow the gentle movement of clouds in the sky. Oldfield's music has this ability to evoke images and emotions with a unique intensity.
From the first time I listened to the album, I was overwhelmed by an instant and profound passion. Nothing better describes my feeling upon encountering this work than the overwhelming impact it had on me. I quickly realized the grandeur and importance of what I was hearing, to the point of catching myself whistling its melodies for weeks on end.
Hergest Ridge Part 1 begins abruptly, with a choir supported by wind instruments that create an almost magical sound, introducing the listener to Oldfield's inner world. Subtle percussion marks the start of the main melody, which emerges with an optimistic force and is explored with an incomparable delicacy—one of the most distinctive marks of Mike's career. Waves of brass and acoustic guitars float harmoniously, creating an atmosphere of solitude and clarity that is simply hypnotic. Midway through the piece, the music plunges into a pulsating bass riff and synthesizers that convey a sense of mystery and curiosity, driving the listener to a breathtaking emotional climax. Dreamy bells and organs, accompanied by an uplifting choir, lead the piece to an almost spiritual conclusion, leaving the listener with a sense of farewell.
Hergest Ridge Part 2 starts delicately and melancholically. The guitars, initially soft, gain strength and guide the listener through a musical journey of overcoming, accentuated by the choir's imposing presence. As in the first part, an atmosphere of uncertainty pervades the music, with the main theme returning in a solitary organ before the piece delves into darker territories, accompanied by organ and flute work that evokes a sense of insecurity. Unexpectedly, the music explodes into a frenzy known to Oldfield's fans as “the Hergest Ridge storm”—a prolonged battle of distorted guitars and layers of fuzz that express frustration and stress, yet maintain a firm control, suggesting that even in chaos, there is order. As the storm reaches its peak, the music returns to a serene state, with acoustic guitars, strings, and choir, concluding the work introspectively and contemplatively, like a summary of what has been experienced and a reflection on the future.
Hergest Ridge is one of Mike Oldfield's most remarkable achievements. Filled with emotion, unique textures, brilliant instrumentation, and exceptional performances, the album goes beyond mere listening—it is an experience to be felt and understood. Oldfield’s ability to awaken the listener’s interpretative sense, even in instrumental compositions, is impressive, reaffirming that his music transcends sound, reaching a level of depth that few artists manage to achieve.
NOTA: 9/10
Tracks
Listing:
1.
Hergest Ridge Part One (21:40)
2. Hergest Ridge Part Two (18:51)
Ouça, "Hergest Ridge Part One"
The overwhelming success of Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield's debut album, is widely recognized, far exceeding all expectations. However, this unexpected triumph brought with it a crushing weight, leading the young musician to seek refuge in an isolated country house on the border between Wales and England, nestled in the slopes of the magnificent Hergest Ridge. This inspiring landscape not only provided Mike with the isolation he so desired but also lent its name to his second album. I believe that, emotionally unprepared to deal with the intense demands of his growing fame, relentless interviews, and the many pressures that beset him, Oldfield found seclusion to be the only way to protect himself and preserve his sanity while composing his next work.
Free from external pressures and in contact only with guest musicians, Oldfield dedicated himself entirely to the creative process. I have a strong suspicion that he spent many hours wandering through the beautiful coastal landscapes, transposing his impressions into music masterfully. After all, it's not difficult for anyone listening to Hergest Ridge to close their eyes and feel transported to distant mountains, visualize a beautiful sunset, or follow the gentle movement of clouds in the sky. Oldfield's music has this ability to evoke images and emotions with a unique intensity.
From the first time I listened to the album, I was overwhelmed by an instant and profound passion. Nothing better describes my feeling upon encountering this work than the overwhelming impact it had on me. I quickly realized the grandeur and importance of what I was hearing, to the point of catching myself whistling its melodies for weeks on end.
Hergest Ridge Part 1 begins abruptly, with a choir supported by wind instruments that create an almost magical sound, introducing the listener to Oldfield's inner world. Subtle percussion marks the start of the main melody, which emerges with an optimistic force and is explored with an incomparable delicacy—one of the most distinctive marks of Mike's career. Waves of brass and acoustic guitars float harmoniously, creating an atmosphere of solitude and clarity that is simply hypnotic. Midway through the piece, the music plunges into a pulsating bass riff and synthesizers that convey a sense of mystery and curiosity, driving the listener to a breathtaking emotional climax. Dreamy bells and organs, accompanied by an uplifting choir, lead the piece to an almost spiritual conclusion, leaving the listener with a sense of farewell.
Hergest Ridge Part 2 starts delicately and melancholically. The guitars, initially soft, gain strength and guide the listener through a musical journey of overcoming, accentuated by the choir's imposing presence. As in the first part, an atmosphere of uncertainty pervades the music, with the main theme returning in a solitary organ before the piece delves into darker territories, accompanied by organ and flute work that evokes a sense of insecurity. Unexpectedly, the music explodes into a frenzy known to Oldfield's fans as “the Hergest Ridge storm”—a prolonged battle of distorted guitars and layers of fuzz that express frustration and stress, yet maintain a firm control, suggesting that even in chaos, there is order. As the storm reaches its peak, the music returns to a serene state, with acoustic guitars, strings, and choir, concluding the work introspectively and contemplatively, like a summary of what has been experienced and a reflection on the future.
Hergest Ridge is one of Mike Oldfield's most remarkable achievements. Filled with emotion, unique textures, brilliant instrumentation, and exceptional performances, the album goes beyond mere listening—it is an experience to be felt and understood. Oldfield’s ability to awaken the listener’s interpretative sense, even in instrumental compositions, is impressive, reaffirming that his music transcends sound, reaching a level of depth that few artists manage to achieve.
NOTA: 9/10
Tracks
Listing:
1.
Hergest Ridge Part One (21:40)
2. Hergest Ridge Part Two (18:51)
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