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Cantilena

Night Songs from Around the World
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Gr all levels—Cantilena, an Italian musical term for a smooth, flowing melodic line, is an apt title for this beautiful, peaceful, soothing album. Award-winning classical guitarist Hilary Field and outstanding vocalist Patrice O'Neill present 14 songs and instrumental pieces—some are traditional lullabies, and others are classical pieces. Excellent performances by guest musicians, including members of the Pacific NW Ballet and Seattle Symphony Orchestras, on violin, viola, cello, mandolin, mandocello, clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon, piano, accordion, French horn, English horn, ocarina, and bass enhance the beauty of these pieces. Many of the lyrics are sung in the language from where the lullaby originated, such as Sweden, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic), Romania, Italy, Argentina, and Japan. "Castle of Dromore," "Brezairola," "Vem Kan Segla," "Chi Mi Na Morbheanna," "La Vo," "Edo Komoriuta," and "Los Bilbilicos-La Rosa Enflorece" are among the selections. This 2010 Parent's Choice Gold medal winner will be a welcome addition to children's music collections.—Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX
In this beautiful, heartrending, yet horrifying film, North Koreans tell their stories of imprisonment, sexual slavery, torture, murder, and escape to China or South Korea during the nearly 50-year regime of Kim Il Sung (1912—94). The interviews are illustrated through the interspersion of dance sequences, archival news footage, and drawings. Particularly interesting are the North Korean propaganda films celebrating Kim Il Sung as God and showing in the face of mass starvation happy workers, elaborate military displays, and the creation of a new flower in 1988 in honor of the 46th birthday of Kim's son and successor, Kim Jong Il. A valuable time line traces 20th-century events in Korea. Bonus features include previously unreleased footage of camp refugees. This mesmerizing film displays excellent production values and is highly recommended for Asia collections.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY
Reviewed by Kitty Chen Dean , Feb 01, 2011

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