World In Union album (of Rugby World Cup 2011)

[Richard]

Here's some more information from the Official RWC 2011 Site:

Official RWC 2011 album launched

(RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM) Tuesday 9 August 2011

• World’s best selling soprano records World in Union
  
• Album available to download via iTunes in September
  
• Distinct New Zealand flavour, multiple languages

The official album of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand was launched today by the world’s biggest-selling soprano and one of the country’s most recognisable stars, Hayley Westenra.

World in Union, which will be released by Universal Music on August 26* and is available on CD and at iTunes and other digital providers, will feature 22 tracks recorded by some of the world’s most recognisable operatic voices to celebrate this year’s largest sporting event.

The iconic title track World in Union has become the anthem of each Rugby World Cup with an illustrious list of artists recording the song for each Tournament.

The 2011 album features Westenra recording a rendition that will become synonymous with Rugby World Cup 2011. The 24-year-old follows in the footsteps of another of the country’s most celebrated singers, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who topped the charts with her version for Rugby World Cup 1991.

Westenra has not only recorded the song in English and Maori, as heard on this album, but also in Italian, French and Japanese.

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The World in Union is the soundtrack to Rugby World Cup, an iconic song for the global Rugby family and I am sure that this album, featuring some of the biggest musicians, will add to the Tournament experience for fans around the world.”

“I am delighted that the album is not merely a collection of Rugby anthems, but it is a fine collection of songs performed by musicians who are Rugby fans. I am sure that Hayley Westenra’s rendition of World in Union will be extremely popular.”

The World in Union album continues with 20 more stirring tracks featuring the world’s most successful singers. Alfie Boe, Russell Watson, Laura Wright, Luigi Corvi, Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins, Brian Kennedy, Paul Byrom, Mirusia Louwerse and Roberto Alagna have all recorded songs representing the participating nations.

The album also features acclaimed Dutch violinist André Rieu, The Kenyan Boys’ Choir, The Band of the Coldstream Guards, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Fron Male Voice Choir.

With over 95,000 fans expected to flock from overseas, Rugby World Cup is the sporting event to be at in 2011, but wherever you are in the world this album will provide the perfect soundtrack.

* Australia launch (August 26), New Zealand launch (August 29), UK/International launch (September 12).

Richard

[Simba]

I'm saddened by the fact that she's not singing Jerusalem I love that song D: But everything else is awesome

EDIT: There's something bothering me abt the recording, just in one teensy weensy bit, when she says "There's a dream "I" feel", the I is kinda broken, as if he voice is cracked, but it's not, it's the recording, it makes a 'tick' sound that it makes her singing look un-professional, but she's singing perfectly though....

[Dave]

Hi Simba,

I don't hear the problem you mentioned, perhaps it's your recording?

But in spite of being a potentially good quality 160 kbps .mp3, it uses a lot of dynamic compression and peak limiting, so the overall quality is not as good as I am sure the CD recording or iTunes download will be - it's still pretty good though!

Dave

[martindn]

Looking forward to getting this - looks great.

The "Rugby songs" I remember from my youth were a bit different though....

Martin D

[Joe]

I'm so tempted to get this album!

Maybe I'll make it my first digital CD download!

Simba, you can sing "Jerusalem" in the background like I was

[Jillian]

I love the Maori one the most! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Beautiful!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Simba]

Omg.....this is amazing, My first comment was an understatement, listening to it over and over again makes me realize how moving the song is. Hayley's perfect, she's mixed all styles of singing, all that she's learnt till now in that one song! And the background music is just astounding....This could be all time favourite song....and I thought all other previous versions were great XD...

And my Goodness, the Maori version was sooooo awesome!!!! Hayley's THE BEST....Guys I don't know how many people noticed, but listen to the maori version at 1:40, that triplet over there was so awesome!

[comet]

Aug 9, 2011 23:54:24 GMT Joe said:

I'm so tempted to get this album!

Maybe I'll make it my first digital CD download!

Simba, you can sing "Jerusalem" in the background like I was

Only tempted Joe ? I want my Cd and printed insert and case for my money

I'd go without a couple of meals for this one.

or is that I'd walk a million miles for one of her smiles.

Down with downloads..Down with downloads..Down with downloads.. Down with downloads.. Down with downloads..

Down with downloads..Down with downloads..Down with downloads..

Kinda weird really , they expect us to use our own "REPLICATORS"
and even weirder, we have them in our own homes.

we even have tiny communicators now as well. Star Trek was well head of it's time.. What next eh ?

[Jenny A]

Aug 10, 2011 16:08:26 GMT Simba said:

...Guys I don't know how many people noticed, but listen to the maori version at 1:40, that triplet over there was so awesome!

One of my favorite parts! 0:05 was really interesting!
Definitely what made this recording better, for me, than the English. It's livelier.
Hayley can't help but blow us all away, can she?!

I can't wait to hear the other versions...

[Ross]

i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Marbecks in New Zealand are taking preorders of the NZ version. It has the Maori/English version of World In Union. It is released on 29th August i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

You can order it here:-

www.marbecks.co.nz/detail/index.lsd?catalogID=700728

[Libby]

The recording of the Maori one may have been better, but to me it's more meaningful to be able to understand the words. That probably sounds silly, but it's true. I feel the power of the song when I hear the lyrics of the song. They didn't sound that much different to me, anyway.

I like lots of songs sung in other languages, so that isn't the issue. I just happen to like this song in English better.

I wonder when the other versions will come out. I'd like to compare those ones too.

[grant]

Hello everyone

Just listened to the Maori version of World In Union and am trying hard to fight back the tears - unbelievably moving! Something happens to Hayley's voice when she sings in Maori - maybe it's just down to pronunciation but whatever it is, I love it.

I.m puzzled though as to why the New Zealand version of the album has the song in English AND English/Maori. Are we going to be able to get this song in just Maori???

Best wishes
Grant

[postscript]

Hi Grant.

Don't know the production to which you are referring but the connection I followed had solely Maori. I think it was an HWI connection.

Peter S.

[grant]

Hi Peter

Aug 12, 2011 10:15:27 GMT postscript said:

Hi Grant.

Don't know the production to which you are referring but the connection I followed had solely Maori. I think it was an HWI connection.

Peter S

Yes, I've heard the full song in Maori via the link but the albums refer to English/Maori rather than JUST Maori.

Best wishes
Grant

[Libby]

Well, maybe they're wrong. The music sites keep having inaccurate info on Paradiso, so maybe this isn't right, either.