Popol Vuh - The Werner Herzog Soundtracks (5 CD Box) (1975-87) - 2011

Genre: Krautrock
Year of release: 2011
Country: Germany
Disc manufacturer: SPV
Audio codec: FLAC
Rip type: tracks+.cue
Audio bitrate: lossless

Tracklist:
Aguirre (1975)
Herz aus Glas / Coeur de Verre (1977)
Nosferatu (1978)
Fitzcarraldo (1982)
Cobra Verde (1987)

Popol Vuh were a German musical collective founded by keyboardist Florian Fricke in 1969 together with Frank Fiedler (sound design), Holger Trülzsch (percussion), and Bettina Fricke (tablas and production). The band took its name from the Mayan manuscript containing the mythology of highland Guatemala's K'iche' people. During the next two decades the membership often alternated, most notably including Djong Yun, Renate Knaup, Conny Veit, Daniel Fichelscher, Klaus Wiese, and Robert Eliscu.

Popol Vuh began as an electronic music project, but under Fricke's leadership they soon abandoned synthesizers for organic instrumentation and world music influences. They developed a productive working partnership with director Werner Herzog, contributing scores to films such as Aguirre, The Wrath of God (1972), Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), and Fitzcarraldo (1982). The group are associated with West Germany's 1970s krautrock movement and are considered progenitors of new-age and ambient music. Pitchfork magazine called Hosianna Mantra (1972) Popol Vuh's classic release.

The 2010 box set Popol Vuh - The Werner Herzog Soundtracks is a remarkable collection that showcases the unique collaboration between the German progressive rock band Popol Vuh and acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog. Released by SPV GmbH, this compilation features five CDs that encapsulate the ethereal and haunting soundscapes that became synonymous with Herzog's cinematic masterpieces.

The first album, Aguirre, the Wrath of God, includes the iconic track "Aguirre I," which sets the tone for Herzog's tale of obsession and madness. Popol Vuh's use of the Moog synthesizer creates an otherworldly atmosphere that perfectly complements the film's visuals.

The second album, Heart of Glass, is a testament to Popol Vuh's versatility. Tracks such as "Engel der Gegenwart" employ acoustic instruments and choral arrangements, reflecting the film's surreal and dreamlike quality.

Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht is the third album in the set, featuring tracks like "Brüder des Schattens - Söhne des Lichts." This soundtrack blends gothic and mystical elements, enhancing the eerie and melancholic mood of Herzog's vampire classic.

The fourth album, Cobra Verde rounds out the collection with its tribal rhythms and evocative melodies. Tracks like "Der Tod des Cobra Verde" mirror the film's themes of power and downfall.

Finally, Fitzcarraldo, captures the grandeur and ambition of Herzog's story about a man determined to build an opera house in the Amazon. The soundtrack includes operatic pieces alongside Popol Vuh's compositions, creating a rich auditory experience.

This box set is a window into the creative synergy between Popol Vuh and Werner Herzog. It remains a must-have for fans of experimental music and cinema alike