From the first minute of "Destination Love" you realize this album is going to be a magical experience. Catya Mare blends modern electronica with classic violin. The music alternates between being exciting and calming. While listening you will experience exquisite emotions. I found some of the music to be playfully creative. Then there are some songs that are seductively sensual with breathy whispers. As the music seeps into your soul you may notice the pleasant sensation of happiness emerging. This is like love radiating from your soul. I think this happens because Catya Mare is one with the violin and it becomes like an extension of her own heart. Each piece of music has elements that make it unique and intriguing. You will be fascinated by not only the creativity, but how the music affects you as a soul.
~The Rebecca Review
Catya Maré: Reviews...
"Listening to Catya is like a breath of fresh air. Entering her world is dangerously infectious and may cause you to experience spurts of ecstasy. Her vision is beyond the confines of our limited comprehension. In three words, she commands attention."
Destination Love is the third work of the multiple award winning violinist Catya Maré. An album with sixteen outstanding songs, that leaves the listener breathless. It's amazing how Catya manages to fuse the softer genres of electronic music (Ambient, World, Fusion) with the classic and beautiful sound of the violin. Catya Maré discovered her unique new style when she was recovering from the flu and decided to play the violin once again seeking a new unusual sound...and she succeeded!
Now you can listen to one of the rarest stylistic mergers yet the most beautiful, where the expressive voice of her violin is accompanied by beautiful electronic sounds.
The first wonder of this album is titled "Sparkling Love." An electronic drum loop / sequencers are the basis for Catya´s soft violin, that rarely appears as a dominant voice, but gives way to a wonderful soprano voice and orchestra, which together with the electronic sounds that dominate this song, create mesmerizing and unusual soundscapes. An exciting and energetic piece. I love it.
"Flying Free": the violin is the main instrument on this track, playing a classical melody accompanied by a stunning synthesized percussion and a synth pad background. The piece is melancholic, a little moody, a style that remains unchanged from beginning to end.
"Clouds" is a song from her previous album, released in 2008, "Remembering The Day". In this case, Catya´s beautiful violin is accompanied by the sound of a keyboard that draws a subtle melody, a down tempo drum and a mysterious synth pad. A piece, that thanks to its heavenly flow, is perfect for relaxation. Captivating!
"Epic Flow" is powerful in its zenith. Orchestra and synthesizers accompany the heroic melody her violin plays. A track that immerses the listener in an action scene. A piece with magnificent force and feeling!
"You & Me" features an initial rhythm section, percussion and synthesizers, which create an upbeat and lively feeling, while Catya´s violin is playing a nostalgic tune. The second part of the track begins with a thoughtful violin melody, a sad moment that is accompanied by percussion until the end. A story told by an expressive violin, that leaves an open ending. I love it.
One of the most fascinating parts of this album, and already included in a previous album of the artist, bears the name "It Came True." Simply energetic and exciting. A touching violin melody accompanied by ethnic beatsa. A striking piece with one of the most moving melodies ever heard, leaving the listener breathless. My favorite without a doubt! Wow!
"Leaving" begins with powerful choral voices underlying Catya´s violin. A dreamy piece that features a beautiful orchestral background, a piano and the tender melody that Catya´s violin plays. A dear song, endowed with great sensitivity and beauty. Another of my favorites! Sublime!
"Epic Love." It is amazing how a classical, romantic melody with a charming twist joins seamlessly with the most striking sounds of synthesizers. Together they bring to life a fascinating song, where the violin melody envelops the listener with extreme delicacy. Enchanting and captivating!
Included from her previous album, "Remembering the Day": A sensitive piece, where the violin seems to lament combined with an almost imperceptible synth backing and mysterious voices (we can perceive the laughter and voices of children) and percussion, creating a sad and painful atmosphere. What impressive sensitivity!
"New Beginnings" is the "dance" piece of this album, with a "break" rate, that keeps going from the beginning to the end. Music that moves away from the New Age style and approaches the energetic sound of electronic music with a frenetic pace. The violin adds a touch of emotion though. I love it.
"Light Longing", included from her previous album, is a beautifully soothing song, which shows an extraordinary synth pad base. The violin draws a slowly flowing melody, creating a relaxing, peaceful feeling. It is one of the most beautiful parts of this album and another of my favorites!
Gregorian chants open "Reminiscence" in an impressive way, a perfect union between the voices and violin make this piece one of the most striking ones. A song, that gives life to powerful vocals, Catya´s wonderful violin, piano and synthesizers. An amazing and poignant melody that conveys an extraordinary strength to the listener. Another of my favorites! Wow!
The most nostalgic song of this album is titled "Memories", although it contains a rhythmic electronic beat, that disappears for a few minutes to give way for the meditative voice of the violin and the synth pads that accompany it. A piece with a mesmerizing melody, that invites you to close your eyes and let go. A seductive piece!
"Destination Love" is this album´s title track. Affectionate, amazing and energetic. A piece in which a meditative introduction and delicate violin play give way to powerful electronic soundscapes and beats.
"Sunny Time" is one of a kind. Again, the beat disappears to give way for a beautiful and soothing melody, that alternates between a synthesized keyboard and Catya´s violin. A gift for the ears, where in this case, the beat is much smoother than in the previous tracks, creating an appropriate environment for relaxation. Another of my favorites!
The CD concludes with "For You", which is next to "It Came True" the song with the most beautiful and powerful melody throughout this album. The violin is the dominant instrument and is accompanied by a sequencer. An exquisite and romantic violin melody captivates the listener from the beginning. Another of my favorites!
Destination Love is something new and interesting that shows, how two seemingly conflicting styles, such as the expressive and classic sound of a violin and the warm sounds of electronic music can join in harmony to create beautiful and amazing melodies that leave the listener fascinated. The wide variety of possibilities, that New Age music shows, is amazing, surprising us with new sounds and styles. Wonderful. Destination Love is a highly recommended album, that will both delight lovers of New Age and followers of electronic music.5 out of 5 stars
A review of songwriter and violinist Catya Maré´s new album “Destination Love”
The songwriter and violinist Catya Maré, who recently won the Billboard World Song Contest and Hollywood Music in Media Award 2009, released her third album, titled “Destination Love”, on February 8th, 2010.
Compared to Catya Maré´s previous albums, “Light Longing”, released in 2007, and “Remembering The Day”, 2008, which feature her hauntingly beautiful violin woven into a chillout, lounge-like and at times thoughtful ambient / electronica / world / smooth jazz backing, “Destination Love” seems to be more upbeat and humorous (especially songs such as “You&Me”, “Memories”, “Sunny Time” and “For You”).
Catya Maré´s primary genre is the Celtic New Age, what in her case blends beautifully together with several different musical styles, such as “classical crossover”, electronica, ambient and pop.
Her concept remaines the same: her sensual and evocative violin is placed as touching and gorgeous primary voice.
This artist takes the violin to a different level.
Catya Maré doesn´t seem to be afraid of mixing genres, such as classical and dance/electronica (”New Beginnings”) or blending Gregorian chants with sensual and laid back beats, stunning orchestral sections and epic sounding choirs (”Reminiscence”, “Destination Love” and “Flying Free”).
The most touching songs on “Destination Love” are “Leaving”, “Sparkling Love” and “Epic Flow”.
This album also features four bonus tracks from Catya Maré´s two earlier released albums: “Light Longing”, “It Came True”, “Clouds” and “Remembering The Day”.
An outstanding album.
links: http://www.catyamare.com
http://www.myspace.com/catyamar
When speaking of Catya Maré´s voice, it means her singing violin.
Even though Catya does have a very sympathetic voice her 16 songs on the brand new album "Destination Love" consist of a perfectly played modern violin, that is woven into an orchestral / synth backing, resulting in an outstanding album. It can´t be categorized New Age exclusively, but maybe more towards pop. No doubt that Catya Maré is one of the most talented violinists today. Her music reaches from Ambient, New Age to Chillout and Lounge.
You can indulge into her music on e.g. www.NewAgeRadio.de or on her website www.catyamare.com.
My recommendations are: For You, Sunny Time, Clouds and Light Longing.
But all the other titles are as wonderful.
At this point in time her latest CD is available exclusively as a digital album, what shouldn´t prevent anybody from purchasing it though.
(By: Erich Boeck, Music Scout, NewAgeRadio.de (translated from German))
"Light Longing is an ethereal journey into the beauty of progressive classical music. For anyone who thinks violins are boring, this album will prove you wrong. It leaves you mesmerized by the peace and serenity an excellent violinist can give. The melodic pop feel of the album only adds to its appeal for the modern music listener. Ambient beats support the heavenly sound of her violin that can do nothing but refresh your spirit and mind. Highly recommended after a long day of work when you need to relax and replenish yourself.
Catya Mare is truly a talented artist, a rare gem in the mainstream pop world today. A beautiful treat to the ears that will take you to places you’d never thought existed, and from which you’ll never want to come back."
Catya Maré was a featured soloist in Europe by the age of 10. So it came as quite a surprise to this classical trained prodigy when she found herself creating improvisational music after a long bout with the flu. The creative freedom she found so unexpectedly led her to a whole new career and a style of playing that some may find reminiscent of early Kitaro. Her compositions are soaring and ethereal, as one listener noted, "light given voice". She blends the sound of her violin seamlessly with the synthesized keyboards and incorporates delicate percussion and effects nicely. On this album (which was retitled and repackaged when she signed with Spectra), all nine pieces are quite rich in melody and emotion. I especially like "Spring".
This is an exceptionally nice album.
"Catya Mare is a violinist that hails from Denmark, and perhaps one of the most talented violinists I have heard in a long time.
The violin is her voice; it brings forth sensual, atmospheric melodies with music that refreshes the soul.
Her music has begun to gain popularity across Europe through her MySpace website, and now her second CD, Clouds, exhibits another ethereal journey into the beauty of progressive classical music.
For anyone who thinks violins are boring, this album will prove you wrong. The ambient pop feel supports the heavenly sound of her violin that can do nothing but refresh your spirit and mind.
It is what legendary music does best : every track on this CD touches the soul .. and it touches the sky. It was impossible to just listen to every selection once or twice.
Each song on Clouds expresses such emotion that the listener feels it. The music tells a beautiful story. It paints pictures in the listeners’ mind that cannot be described as anything less that gorgeous. Technically, the music is totally flawless.
Clouds may give off the impression that it is classical, but it is much more than that; it exposes the other side of the world.
Denmark is certainly lucky to have such an amazing violinist."
"...With full orchestral backup on many of her songs, even those that are stripped down to nothing more than Catya's violin also have all the textures of a forest at sunrise. And I also discovered that her music paints pictures in my mind that are absolutely gorgeous. Technically, I find any point of her music to be flawless... Comparing her to any of the finest violinists in the world isn't out of the question. I really look forward to Catya Maré's music being included on MIXXSTUDIOS playlist. Steve, you're right, she is fabulous."
"....visions of sunrises, sunsets and rainbows so hauntingly beautiful, spiritual, peaceful .. and ever so holy. You took me far into my dreamworld and you made me feel like ... like, well, just like "It Came True". What an absolutely beautiful and inspirational experience it was for me. You make music do what great music - what legendary music does best - with every beat of the heart it touches the soul .. and it touches the sky. It was impossible to just listen to this song once or twice - no, for me, it was much more than that. This is a wonderful, beautiful song Catya ... no words were spoken, yet every word was said. Thank you for such a deeply emotional piece of music - I'm honored to add "It Came True" to Legendary Music."
"Your music is absolutely georgous! I really enjoyed the New Age flavor while dining on your violin sounds. WOW! is all I can simply state!!"
"AMAZING.... You are the most talented woman I think I have ever heard!!"
Catya at the HMMAs 2009.Thank you, Vinni Ratcliff!
"Your music is incredibly beautiful. Very well composed and playing is even more fluid and flawless...total perfection. You are GREAT! Thanks, Johnny Kim"
(-Warner Brothers Pictures Burbank, CA US -Twentieth Century Fox Studios Culver City, CA US -Bill Graham Presents (concert promoter for major concerts) San Francisco, CA US -GLM Records Beverly Hills, CA US Artist and Repertoire (A&R))
