25

Founded in 1984, Cirque du Soleil celebrated its quarter-century in 2009 with 25, a double-CD compilation drawn from the soundtracks to its many presentations. In keeping with the international focus of the circus-plus-theater organization, the music boasts all sorts of influences from all over the world. Cirque reveals its origins at the top of the second CD with the “Cirque du Soleil” theme, an unabashed circus march. But that’s not a typical track. Usually, the music boasts danceable rhythms and exotic instruments, often with vocals in one of a variety of languages. The first disc is the more romantic and lyrical, with songs of romantic and aspirational sentiment, sung by longing females or husky-voiced men. After the “Cirque du Soleil” theme, the second disc features more uptempo material reaching into styles of rock, jazz, Latin, and Middle Eastern. Perhaps because of its multiplicity of styles, the music achieves a consistently foreign and exotic flavor, seeming of everywhere in general, but nowhere in particular. And, while attractive to the ear, it is never compelling; it never draws attention away from what’s going on on-stage. That makes it perfect for the traveling caravan that is Cirque du Soleil. – William Ruhlmann