2002
(1992-Present; Safe For All Ages)
2/14/16
This first of my musical entries on this blog is for all the lovers of both stories and their significant others. I believe, as I’m sure many of you do, that love is meant to be nothing less than sacred, not only an emotion but a vow that bonds two souls together and transcends both time and death. At the same time, however, I realize how absurd and difficult, if not impossible, this idea is for others in this increasingly digitalized and cynical world of ours. Nevertheless, perhaps this entry will help make it seem a little less so, even if only for a short time.
2002 (pronounced “Two Thousand Two”) is a Neo-Classical New-age band composed first of husband-and-wife duo, Pamela and Randy Copus, and recently joined by their now teenaged daughter, Sarah. Their name is unique in that it signifies the sacred bonds of love: according to their website, “the zeros in the middle were originally an infinity sign and the ‘twos’ on either side represented them on either side of infinity.” In other words, it symbolizes how two souls deeply enough in love are said to be joined together for all eternity.
I was first exposed to 2002 when the New Age music channel on my cable T.V. played their song, “Stella Maris,” from the 2000 album, “River of Stars.” I was instantly hooked. Their albums have been on the Billboard charts numerous times alongside other famed New Age and classical artists such as Enya, Yanni, and George Winston. The duo uses a wide variety of both classical and modern electronic instruments, such as piano, acoustic guitar, flute, keyboard, cello, and harp, as well as a “virtual choir” comprised of the two’s voices digitally recorded and layered on top of each other. All this together gives their songs an ambient, angelic quality, sometimes slow and soft enough to relax to, other times quick and light-hearted enough to dance to.
But while love is the driving force of 2002’s sound, it is not exclusively the love between two people that is centered on. As many of their albums will remind listeners, the power of love can apply to virtually anything: family, nature, creation, life itself. This leads me to what I think is one of the best aspects about 2002 and their presentation. Each of their albums is based on a specific story, setting, or idea. Inside the CD booklet of a given album, a song title may often be paired with a brief poetic piece.
For some, each song is an episode within a larger chronicle, such as:
- Savitri (1995) tells the famous ancient Indian legend of the titular princess and how she rescues her husband and true love, the noble Prince Satyavan, from death itself.
"Satyavan"
Savitri’s search leads her to a hermitage
in a forest where she sees Satyavan for
the first time. He is gently caring for his
blind father, who was once a powerful
king. The crude setting does not
diminish the nobility and wisdom in
Satyavan’s face. The humble attire
cannot conceal his perfect form.
- Wings (1992) is based on the Greek myth of Daedelus, as he and his ill-fated son, Icarus, escape the tyranny of King Minos by creating wings of feathers and wax in order to fly across the sea to safety. In spite of this myth’s tragic ending, its message of freedom and the finding of inner peace is apparent throughout, but especially in its final song.
"Temple of Apollo"
Daedalus builds a beautiful temple in Sicily
after his escape from Crete. The temple is
in honor of Apollo, who represents life,
healing, music and youth.
In others, each song may have its own tale set within the same universe, as it were. For example:
- Land of Forever (1998) (my personal favorite) transports the listener to Tir Na Noc, the fabled faery island where time stands still, and a traveler, upon visiting the island even for only a day, may find that centuries have passed by in the real world.
"Falling Through Time"
Oisin, a famed warrior, went
hunting one day and saw the
beautiful Niam of the Golden
Hair, daughter of the King of
Tir Na Noc. She sang a song of
enchantment to him and, deeply in
love, he left with her. Her white
horse ran lightly atop the waves of
the ocean and into a golden haze in
which Oisin lost all knowledge of
where he was, and for how long.
In others still, there may be no overlaying plot; instead, the music paints a general but no less symbolic picture:
- Across an Ocean of Dreams (2002) is dedicated to the element of water, the way it has comforted and healed our bodies and inspired man’s imagination for centuries.
"The Ocean Dreams"
There are those of us who dream
of the sea, who long to feel the crisp
salt air filling our lungs and to
hear the symphony of the waves
and the singing of the gulls. Of what
does the ocean dream? A cerulean
sky? Snow-laced mountains? Or
perhaps that we return for a visit?
- Chrysalis (1997) focuses on the mysterious and magical phenomenon of the caterpillar’s eventual transformation into a butterfly.
"Dream Come True"
Emerging from the warm
security of its cocoon, the
once earth-bound creature
stretches its new wings. The
wind breathes gently upon
them, assisting in its first
flight.
Here is a family whose music is intended to bring people together and soothe those whose lives may be lonely or less than peaceful. The music of 2002 is nothing short of dream-like, perfect to both lift the spirits and ignite the imagination while putting the mind and heart at ease.
CREDITS:
All images, audio, and links belong to their respective owners; no copyright infringement is intended.
MAIN THEME:
“The Call” – Briand Morrison and Roxann Berglund
2002 (pronounced “Two Thousand Two”) is a Neo-Classical New-age band composed first of husband-and-wife duo, Pamela and Randy Copus, and recently joined by their now teenaged daughter, Sarah. Their name is unique in that it signifies the sacred bonds of love: according to their website, “the zeros in the middle were originally an infinity sign and the ‘twos’ on either side represented them on either side of infinity.” In other words, it symbolizes how two souls deeply enough in love are said to be joined together for all eternity.
I was first exposed to 2002 when the New Age music channel on my cable T.V. played their song, “Stella Maris,” from the 2000 album, “River of Stars.” I was instantly hooked. Their albums have been on the Billboard charts numerous times alongside other famed New Age and classical artists such as Enya, Yanni, and George Winston. The duo uses a wide variety of both classical and modern electronic instruments, such as piano, acoustic guitar, flute, keyboard, cello, and harp, as well as a “virtual choir” comprised of the two’s voices digitally recorded and layered on top of each other. All this together gives their songs an ambient, angelic quality, sometimes slow and soft enough to relax to, other times quick and light-hearted enough to dance to.
But while love is the driving force of 2002’s sound, it is not exclusively the love between two people that is centered on. As many of their albums will remind listeners, the power of love can apply to virtually anything: family, nature, creation, life itself. This leads me to what I think is one of the best aspects about 2002 and their presentation. Each of their albums is based on a specific story, setting, or idea. Inside the CD booklet of a given album, a song title may often be paired with a brief poetic piece.
For some, each song is an episode within a larger chronicle, such as:
- Savitri (1995) tells the famous ancient Indian legend of the titular princess and how she rescues her husband and true love, the noble Prince Satyavan, from death itself.
"Satyavan"
Savitri’s search leads her to a hermitage
in a forest where she sees Satyavan for
the first time. He is gently caring for his
blind father, who was once a powerful
king. The crude setting does not
diminish the nobility and wisdom in
Satyavan’s face. The humble attire
cannot conceal his perfect form.
- Wings (1992) is based on the Greek myth of Daedelus, as he and his ill-fated son, Icarus, escape the tyranny of King Minos by creating wings of feathers and wax in order to fly across the sea to safety. In spite of this myth’s tragic ending, its message of freedom and the finding of inner peace is apparent throughout, but especially in its final song.
"Temple of Apollo"
Daedalus builds a beautiful temple in Sicily
after his escape from Crete. The temple is
in honor of Apollo, who represents life,
healing, music and youth.
In others, each song may have its own tale set within the same universe, as it were. For example:
- Land of Forever (1998) (my personal favorite) transports the listener to Tir Na Noc, the fabled faery island where time stands still, and a traveler, upon visiting the island even for only a day, may find that centuries have passed by in the real world.
"Falling Through Time"
Oisin, a famed warrior, went
hunting one day and saw the
beautiful Niam of the Golden
Hair, daughter of the King of
Tir Na Noc. She sang a song of
enchantment to him and, deeply in
love, he left with her. Her white
horse ran lightly atop the waves of
the ocean and into a golden haze in
which Oisin lost all knowledge of
where he was, and for how long.
In others still, there may be no overlaying plot; instead, the music paints a general but no less symbolic picture:
- Across an Ocean of Dreams (2002) is dedicated to the element of water, the way it has comforted and healed our bodies and inspired man’s imagination for centuries.
"The Ocean Dreams"
There are those of us who dream
of the sea, who long to feel the crisp
salt air filling our lungs and to
hear the symphony of the waves
and the singing of the gulls. Of what
does the ocean dream? A cerulean
sky? Snow-laced mountains? Or
perhaps that we return for a visit?
- Chrysalis (1997) focuses on the mysterious and magical phenomenon of the caterpillar’s eventual transformation into a butterfly.
"Dream Come True"
Emerging from the warm
security of its cocoon, the
once earth-bound creature
stretches its new wings. The
wind breathes gently upon
them, assisting in its first
flight.
Here is a family whose music is intended to bring people together and soothe those whose lives may be lonely or less than peaceful. The music of 2002 is nothing short of dream-like, perfect to both lift the spirits and ignite the imagination while putting the mind and heart at ease.
CREDITS:
All images, audio, and links belong to their respective owners; no copyright infringement is intended.
MAIN THEME:
“The Call” – Briand Morrison and Roxann Berglund
All other songs are by 2002:
“River of Stars” (from River of Stars [2000])
“Stella Maris” (from River of Stars [2000])
“City of Peace” (from The Sacred Well: The Best of 2002 [2002])
“Secret Shores” (from The Emerald Way [2006])
“Satyavan” (from Savitri [1995])
“Temple of Apollo” (from Wings [1992])
“Falling Through Time” (from Land of Forever [1998])
“The Ocean Dreams” (from Across an Ocean of Dreams [2002])
“Dream Come True” (from Chrysalis [1997])
“Moment of Love” (from This Moment Now [2003])
Download the full 15-minute episode here!
2002 on Wikipedia
2002's Official Website
2002's Facebook Page
2002's Twitter Page
2002's Blog
2002's Official YouTube Channel
2002 on New Age Music World
Buy 2002 on Amazon
^^ Back to Music, Bands, and Other Creations of Sound
“River of Stars” (from River of Stars [2000])
“Stella Maris” (from River of Stars [2000])
“City of Peace” (from The Sacred Well: The Best of 2002 [2002])
“Secret Shores” (from The Emerald Way [2006])
“Satyavan” (from Savitri [1995])
“Temple of Apollo” (from Wings [1992])
“Falling Through Time” (from Land of Forever [1998])
“The Ocean Dreams” (from Across an Ocean of Dreams [2002])
“Dream Come True” (from Chrysalis [1997])
“Moment of Love” (from This Moment Now [2003])
Download the full 15-minute episode here!
2002 on Wikipedia
2002's Official Website
2002's Facebook Page
2002's Twitter Page
2002's Blog
2002's Official YouTube Channel
2002 on New Age Music World
Buy 2002 on Amazon
^^ Back to Music, Bands, and Other Creations of Sound