Kathryn Courtney-O'Neill

"Symphony" has been five years in the making and was recorded in Germany. Her repertoire in this collection ranges from beautiful ballads, power rock to interpretations of the classics such as "Jupiter" from Holst's 'The Planets'. You also find her dueting with Andrea Bocelli, Alessandro Safina, Fernando Lima and Paul Stanley, yes the guy from KISS  and singing in Spanish, Italian, French, German and of course English.

The title track "Symphony" is a classy song beautifully sung that would not sound out of place in the West End and be a chart hit. It is well produced and emotionally charged with sweeping strings. "Canto Della Terra" is a powerfully sung duet with Andrea Bocelli compared to Sarah's gentle almost fragile vocal. It's amazing how she hits those high notes without it sounding strained. It is rather dramatic with a big ending of classical choir and horns, whilst "Sanvean" showcases an almost angelic voice with this ballad. It is almost heartrending sadness with the musical arrangement and you hear some electric guitar in the mix if you really listen.

"Schwere Traume" sees Sarah move back into classical music and voice mode only to be followed by "Sarai Qui", a duet with Alessandro Safina. This was originally recorded by Faith Hill as "There You'll Be" and Faith's version is far more moving and powerful than this duet. It is a pleasant enough alternative in Italian with the classical treatment but it just doesn't capture the drama of the song even with the introduction of a classical choir. Whilst "Storia D'Amore" is another classical arrangement

"Attesa" has an introduction that reminds me of a classic opening film sequence before launching into the song itself. By the end of this track I am asking myself 'how does she reach that high note?' and then she swiftly moves on with the next song, a duet with Fernando Lima entitled "Pasion". Piano and guitar feature heavily in this song and Fernando Lima has such a pure voice that they blend so well together with the Spanish vocal. Think sun, mountains, great scenery. This song moves into it own and has heart. Think of the song "Windmills Of Your Mind" and you're almost there.

But this is not the last track. If "Gothica" was one book end then the bonus track "Sarahbande" is the other and wraps this album up rather neatly. With a violin/cello/piano intro moving onto more dramatic turn with Sarah's operatic tone, you then get a touch of 'The Who's'  "Pin Ball Wizard" influence that rushes through with some urgency and rock guitar added for posterity. What an ending indeed!