MAGIC THEATRE
Gandalf
•Crossover Prog
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website
![]() Write a review |
Studio Album, released in 1983 Songs / Tracks Listing 1. Entrance / The Corridor Of The Seven Doors (5:47) - Gandalf (Heinz Strobl) / electric and acoustic guitars,synthesizers, mellotron, organ, sitar, vocoder, wind chimes, rhythm machines, bass, gongs, drums, polyphonic syntheziers, and percussion
Lp. WEA 24-0293 (Germany) / Cd. WEA 2292-40293-2 Edit this entry |
Buy GANDALF Magic Theatre Music
![]() | Magic Theatre: Remastered Edition / Gandalf Remastered ESOTERIC 2018 | $11.23 $17.15 (used) |
![]() | Magic Theatre by GANDALF Imports | $40.81 |
![]() | Gandalf - Magic Theatre - WEA Musik GmbH - 24-0293-1 WEA Musik GmbH | $96.00 (used) |

![]() |
GANDALF - Magic Theatre: Remastered Edition (Jewel Case) - CD - New |
USD $16.88 ![]() |
9h 36m |
![]() |
GANDALF-Magic Theatre: Remastered Edit CD NEW |
USD $20.76 ![]() |
4 days |
![]() |
GANDALF - MAGIC THEATRE USED - VERY GOOD CD |
USD $15.11 ![]() |
9 days |
![]() |
GANDALF - MAGIC THEATRE NEW CD |
USD $20.75 ![]() |
9 days |
![]() |
GANDALF-Magic Theatre: Remastered Edit (UK IMPORT) CD NEW |
USD $14.17 ![]() |
15 days |
![]() |
GANDALF - Magic Theatre: Remastered Edit New CD |
USD $14.80 ![]() |
18 days |
![]() |
GANDALF Magic Theatre European WEA LP 1983 ambient space rock gem NM+ |
USD $16.98 ![]() |
21 days |
![]() |
GANDALF "Magic Theatre" original German lp Top Copy |
USD $34.99 ![]() |
22 days |
![]() |
GANDALF - MAGIC THEATRE - ESOTERIC REMASTERED |
USD $13.89 ![]() |
24 days |
![]() |
Gandalf - Magic Theatre Europe LP 1983 /3* |
USD $16.99 ![]() |
24 days |
![]() |
Gandalf - Magic Theatre: Remastered Edition (NEW CD) |
USD $16.74 ![]() |
26 days |
![]() |
GANDALF - Magic Theatre Remastered Edition (Jewel Case) [CD] |
USD $15.58 ![]() |
27 days |
More places to buy GANDALF music online
- DOUG LARSON IMPORTS — Buy prog rock music and rarities (Free shipping on orders over 10 cds)
- AmazonMP3: Search for GANDALF DRM-Free MP3 Downloads @ Amazon.com MP3
- Try Amazon Prime Music (30-day free trial)
GANDALF Magic Theatre ratings distribution
(17 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(24%)
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(53%)
Good, but non-essential (24%)
Collectors/fans only (0%)
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
GANDALF Magic Theatre reviews
Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings
Collaborators/Experts Reviews
PROG REVIEWER

That concert was the promotional tour for this album, in my opinion his most symphonic effort. On this site Gandalf his music is described as a kind of New Age, here it has mellow and sometimes a bit ambient climates but in general it's far from the often boring New Age atmosphere. Highlight is the long composition entitled "Castels in the sand" featuring a splendid build-up with wonderful play on the Grand piano (from classical to jazzy) and very moving, Spanish inspired acoustic guitar, supported by soft choir-Mellotron waves, GOOSE BUMPS! The other tracks sound pleasant and varied with fine interplay between acoustic - and electric guitars and keyboards (piano, synthesizers, Mellotron) along some saxophone and flute. Imagine a blend of MIKE OLDFIELD, KITARO and ANTHONY PHILLIPS.
By the way, last year I witnessed Gandalf as a support act for The Musical Box (performing "The lamb...") and I have heard that he will tour again and even visit Holland for the second time, I will be there!
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

The tracking list is very intersting to read: 1.Entrance: the Corridor of the Seven Doors (5,47 mns); 2. 1st Door: Reflection from Childhood (4,02 mns); 3. 2nd Door: Castles of Sand (13,06 mns) 4. 3rd Door: Loss of Identity in the Labyrinth of Delusions (3,15); 5. 4th Door: the Magic Mirror (3,52 mns); 6. 5th Door: Beyond the Walls of Ignorance (7,35); 7. 6th Door: Peace of Mind (4,54 mns); 8. 7th Door: The Fountain of Real Joy (5,36 mns); 9. Exit (3,37).
Gandalf is a skilled musician and an excellent multi-instrumentist. He knows well how to achieve the most appropriate arrangements for each different state of mind. So fiery electric guitar and distorted saxophone, played by guest musician Peter Aschenbrenner, along with fast tempo drumming rapresents the Labyrinth of Delusions and the Loss of Identity, while hope and redemption ask for acoustic guitar, sitar, flute and for celestial synthesizer's performances. Mellotron and organ do well their own job too, not as so prominently as in the previous album. By the way, the result is slightly less convincing. Maybe 'cause it was based on an already used formula. 3.75 is my evaluation. Something you have to put on your cd player while you're going to take a break and want to relax after a long hard working day. New-age music? Not still, this will come later.
PROG REVIEWER

This particular album is intriguing too. To me this is pure prog, high standard composing and execution resulting in a wonderful album. At first I picked out the longest track (2nd door) for my mp3 and so I know that one best. I loved it immediately, the music is kind of quiet, very melodic and very suitable as background music but meant in the most positive way possible. When I decided to check out all the other tracks I was anxious to discover they couldn't live up to the magnificent 2nd door but suprisingly they did. At least almost. The whole album is in the same style, to me that was a plus because it's a very soothing style. You have to be in the mood for this but when you are it's more than an enjoyable listen for over 50 minutes.
With all this positive information it will be no surprise I value this with 4 stars. Very well deserved !
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Team

Magic Theatre is, together with Visions, Gandalf's finest moment. The eclectic and adventurous nature of the previous To Another Horizon is refined on this album and combined with the melodic sensibilities of Visions to create an excellent instrumental and progressive album. Magic Theatre is also rare in Gandalf's vast discography in being more of a band effort than a one man show. In addition to Gandalf himself on a wide variety of instruments including electric and acoustic guitars, a multitude of keyboards and percussions, there is also a full time drummer in Egdon Groger and bass player in Heinz Hummer which gives this album a fuller sound than other Gandalf albums. Further, Peter Aschenbrenner plays grand piano, organ and saxophone, and Robert Julian Horky plays flutes.
The styles vary from folky to jazzy to classical to electronic while never going too far in either direction and thus keeping it all a coherent whole. This album often reminds me of my favourite Mike Oldfield album Q.E.2., but though Gandalf might perhaps accurately be called "the Austrian Mike Oldfield" he has his own approach to things.
Overall, I find Magic Theatre highly enjoyable. It is recommended to all fans of instrumental, progressive Rock.
Latest members reviews
No review or rating for the moment | Submit a reviewPost a review of GANDALF "Magic Theatre"
You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.
MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE
As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.
You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).