I first heard "Songs from a Secret Garden" playing in a music store eight years ago, and I was entranced from the very first note. The music was a blend of classical, Celtic and Norwegian, a stunning combination of piano, violin, orchestra and voice. It was unlike anything I'd ever heard before: deeply moving, relaxing, meditative, a journey to a secret garden, perfect music for reflection on a rainy day.

Secret Garden is made up of Norwegian composer Rolf Lovland on piano and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry. They have since released four other CDs: "White Stones," "Dawn of a New Century," "Dreamcatcher" (a best-of compilation taken from the first three releases), and "Once in a Red Moon," but for me "Songs from a Secret Garden" remains their masterpiece. It is by turns gentle, romantic, melancholy, playful and joyous. There is a Celtic element on some of the songs ("Sigma," with an Irish-language chorus and a boy soprano, "The Rap,"), but it is not as marked as their later releases, which to me sound like Riverdance imitations and have lost all of the "Secret Garden" magic for me. "Nocturne" features the stunning vocals of Gunnhild Tvinnereim, and this was the song that first catapulted Secret Garden to fame (it won the 1995 Eurovision song contest for Norway). My other favourite songs from the collection are "Songs from a Secret Garden" and "Sigma."

(I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of the sheet music to "Songs from a Secret Garden" and I play selections from it every day. The foreword is in English and Norwegian, and there are additional notes by Rolf regarding performance tips and inspirations behind the songs. If you play piano, this is a worthy investment for a Secret Garden fan. The collection features all thirteen songs from "Songs from a Secret Garden" and is available at their official website at www.secretgarden.no)

This is still a very popular album even though it was released in 1994: it is one of BMG Music Club's top-selling classical CDs, Barbara Streisand did a cover of "Heartstrings" for her wedding, adding lyrics and renaming it "I've Dreamed of You," and some of my favourite places in Québec City use "Songs from a Secret Garden" as background music (Aux Anciens Canadiens, 34 Rue Saint-Louis, Domaine Steinbach, 2205, chemin Royal

This is the only CD I reach for after a long day. The stress just melts away and my spirits are lifted instantly. "Songs from a Secret Garden" is perfect for anyone seeking a quiet moment in their lives, a moment to reflect, dream, love, and explore their own secret garden.

After hearing "Nocturne" on a local classical station I knew I HAD to pick this CD up. "Nocturne" is such an incredible acheivement, and being a songwriter myself, wish I could write something half as good. With Rolf Lovland on piano and Fionnuala Sherry on violin, the music to this song makes me weep with joy. Gunnhild Tvinnereim, the featured vocalist on "Nocturne", has one of the purest voices I have ever heard. The rest of the CD is almost as beautiful, and has the underpinings of both Norwegian and Celtic culture. Many times, listening to this fabulous music, I can picture myself on a cliff overlooking the wide, expansive Atlantic ocean, and each song brings to mind a different atmosphere to become part of.

In a world of stress and noise I have found a CD so quieting, therapeutic, and rhapsodic that I can't get enough. I first heard it while getting a massage and found it so soothing that I went out right away to buy it. Almost every one of the tracks are this way. Money verrrry well spent. I'm giving some as Xmas gifts.

I'm not typically a fan of new age style music, and I have to admit that I received this CD by mistake from a music club. I was too lazy to return it; so I just stuck it in my CD collection expecting to never listen to it. Eventually, it went into my CD player, and I was surprised by its beauty. The group consists of composer and pianist Rolf Lovland and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry. As a newbie to this genre, I'm not sure what I would compare their sound to - perhaps a bit of Enya mixed with light piano jazz and a touch of Clannad. It reminds me vaguely of the music from "Titanic," although somewhat gentler. Their songs incorporate a number of instruments, generally supporting the piano and violin. Some songs include lovely vocals by the Irish National Chamber Choir. Secret Garden definitely have an Irish sound, but not overwhelmingly so. Obviously, I stumbled on this CD by accident, but it's been a nice addition to my collection. I think that this CD would appeal to many people who like contemporary classical music - highly recommended.

Overwhelming in beauty. Soothing to the soul and nourishment for the heart. I fall asleep to it every night. It expresses love when your being overflows and words don't even come close.