New Niche Fragrance Review: Calling All Angels by April Aromatics + Der Himmel über Berlin Draw

Solveig Dommartin as Marion ‘Der Himmel über Berlin’ by Wim Wenders

 When Berlin based perfumer Tanja Bochnig of April Aromatics-natural perfumery- kindly sent me a sample of her new perfume ‘Calling all Angels’, it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I was going through a somewhat turbulent period and a serene and comforting scent was very welcome. I know that Tanja has her own story about the inspiration for her new fragrance, but by the thought of "angels" and "Berlin", I couldn’t help but to think of the iconic 1987 film ‘Der Himmel über Berlin’ by Wim Wenders**.

 

I liked to imagine Bruno Ganz in the role of the angel Damiel as the ‘face’ of this fragrance, an angel choosing to become human, shedding his wings of immortality and choosing instead human life, and with it, its joys and sorrows. Damiel makes this choice first and foremost because of his love for a beautiful woman, the lonely and beautiful trapeze artist, Marion. I think of the two angels Damiel and Cassiel (Otto Sanders) looking out over the big, and divided, city with a troubled past and uncertain future, and hearing the thoughts of the people below.  Or envisage the black and white picture of the angels next to the golden angel statue that tops the ‘Siegessäule’ (victory column), looking for the people who needs their guidance. 

 

Guariento di Arpo Serafini

I think the angels part of ‘Calling all Angels’ might have lead me to expect a more introvert, perhaps a discreet prayer to the angels, but put the stress on both CALLING and ALL , and you see why it’s only right that the opening is an intense and dominant one. It’s a call that doesn’t doubt its purpose; it’s reaching out with open arms… Imagine a room, full of light and full of incense having just been set alight. The incense and myrrh is like a blast, it’s huge and omnipresent yet in a calm and very reasserting way. 

After the powerful opening, I was wondering if there was enough space for anything else to shine through; but to follow the story of the calling, I assume that after that great big call for ALL angels, comes a wish or a prayer. After all, there should be an intention why one should wish to call out to higher powers. So, little by little, the sting leaves the myrrh and the headiness of the incense, as it becomes smokier, mellower and slowly finds its way to a little vanilla sweetness. It sticks its head out first a little timid, in between the waves of smoke. It’s never sugary, it’s either resinous or a little dry, with a calmness exuding from the depth of the fragrance. At the end of the séance, many many hours later, the very last whisper of ‘Calling all angels’ is woody honeyed, and as if the light of the last candle goes out in that before illuminated room, a whiff of beeswax is merging, adding a slight feline touch, like the downy sweetness of a kitten’s fur. 

The angel Damiel feels lonely as an angel, since he can never really talk to the people that he is guiding and tries to help, he wants to understand what it is like to be human, since in ‘Der Himmel über Berlin’ the angels are deprived of all sensory experiences, he wants to experience smelling and feeling. And in Damiel's spirit, I was happy to discover that this fragrance is less about heavenly creatures, and more about the ones that need to call them. ‘Calling all angels’ seems about the room you create around yourself when you want to clear your thoughts of all needless, and envelope yourself in the warm and peaceful space which makes you come out stronger.

 

Notes: Incense, Labdanum, Tonka Bean, Vanilla Accord, Benzoin, Elemi Resin, Frankincense, Amber Accord, Honey Accord, Precious Woods Accord, Opoponax, Rose Otto.

 –Jasia Julia Nielson, Contributor

 

Bruno Ganz and Peter Falk

 ** The movie Der Himmel über Berlin has the English translation ‘Wings of Desire’, was inspired by the poems of Rainer Maria Rilke and featured the American actor Peter Falk who passed away June, 2011.

 

Tanja Bochnig: "Self Portrait" 2007

 T anja on Calling All Angels: "My friend Mari Nil, (Author of the "Essence of God") is a clairvoyant healer who channeled this perfume with the intent of bringing the healing messages of the angels into a scent and to the wearers. This fragrance is connecting all dimension and realms with each other and this way our beloved friends are able to be very close to us and to help us. Calling all Angels is infused with clear crystal, Herkimer diamond and Gold flakes ,was bottled on a full moon and is the first in a series of my Angel scents."

 

Thanks to Tanja Bochnig of April Aromatics we are offering a 7ml preview sample of Calling All Angels to one reader. To be eligible please leave a comment with the name or depiction of your favorite "Angel" (in literature, music, culture movies or art)  AND  a April Aromatics Natural Perfume  you like or one you would like to try by October 31, 2012

 

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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68 comments

  • My favorite angel would have to be Michael. Precious Woods seems like it would be right up my alley. Thanks for the draw!

  • What a lovely review ! I never saw this movie but am going to order it I loved Peter Falk so. I have heard of April aromatics on your blog and remember nectar of love sounded beautiful although how can one not want Calling All Angels after reading this review
    My favorite Angel? The Morningstar aka Lucifer
    because he he had a very human character

  • My favorite angel is Michael, the prehuman Jesus, and Calling All Angels is the scent I’d most like to try, closely followed by Precious Woods.

  • My favorite angel was Nicholas cage in the movie city of Angels
    I agree with Dari this is a beautiful review especially since I recently saw wings of desire again after 14 years
    Gold dust infused heavenly indeed
    I would love to try this and I do have a decant of liquid dreams which is gorgeous
    Thank you Ms Bochnig and Ms Nielson for an inspirational read on a cold dark night

  • I haven’t seen this movie, so I don’t have any favorite 🙁
    I would like to try CALLING ALL ANGELS

  • I love the song by Sarah McLachlan “arms of an angel”it’s so haunting and lyrical
    Based on the website perfumes I think I would like Unter den Linden
    Very nice indeed and I will also order the movie

  • I love the angel Clarence in It’s a Wonderful Life. 🙂 I would love to try Rose L’Orange…thanks for the draw!

  • I love the Jane Siberry song of this same title; the album it’s from, When I Was A Boy, has some truly remarkable, haunting work.

    Bohemian Spice sounds intriguing, although I’m REALLY excited about this scent most of all. Thanks for the draw!

  • I have always loved and feared the idea of Michael, Archangel – and never more so than when he is portrayed as the Terrible Swift Sword of God. He’s not fluffy, he’s not sweet, he’s not kind – he’s one scary being!

    I love Wings of Desire. I think I’ll make El O watch that with me sometime this week!

    And, of course, I had to hunt up the the gorgeous song sung by k.d. lang and Jane Siberry…so beautiful…

    xoA

  • I loved “The Wings of Desire” when I saw it many many years ago. Thank you for reminding me of it. Sarah McLachlan’s song, “In the Arms of the Angel” is my favourite song referencing angels. I would like to try Bohemian Spice, but I am extremely intrigued by Calling All Angels!

  • The film ‘Der Himmel über Berlin’by Wim Wenders is an all time favorite of mine. Its the film you show to people and you immediately know if you are philosophicaly compatible with them. So, an Angel I will name as Morael – angel of awe that rules the months of August-September. Precious Woods I would love to experience. It’s a great draw, thank you!

  • Michael came to mind when thinking of Angels… so I’m going to have to go with Musette above =) As for a scent by April Aromatics I looked and alas still going to go with UNTER DEN LINDEN, because I always have a soft spot for Lindenblossom!

  • I think Bohemian Spice sounds like something I would like. I like the chubby cherubs that are depicted in some artwork.

  • Musette, Heather P and Monica H.- Seems you were both touched by the same angel as Tanja had emailed me last week that she loved the song Calling all Angels by KD Lang and Jane Silberry. I included an excerpt from Tanja’s email as well as a reference to the creative process

  • Albert Brooks in Defending Your Life (I believe he graduates to an angel at the end!). I’m most interested in Liquid Dreams or this one! Thanks for the draw 🙂

  • I love reading about all the angels! The first one I thought of when reading this was when I saw Cherry Jones as the Angel in “Angels in America” back in 1993 or 94 (I think) on Broadway. It was one of my first big Broadway show experiences and it was incredible. Cynthia Nixon was also in it and she was amazing too.
    I think Callng All Angels sounds the most entrancing. I also think I might like Nectar of Love.

  • What immediately comes to mind is the one and only Thierry Mugler Angel. After reading the review I remembered seeing the Wim Wenders film as well as the one with Nicholas Cage. I think Calling All Angels sounds like the one I’d most like to try given that it’s incense-based. Otherwise, I guess it would have to be Precious Woods.

  • It’s been mentioned before, but I truly love the American remake of this film, City of Angels, starring Nicholas Cage as the angel. In fact I find it much more accessible and enjoyable than the Wim Wenders original version. For an April Aromatics perfume I’d go for Precious Woods, since I’m all about woods these days ever since I discovered labdanum growing wild in the cork forests of Eastern Portugal.

  • Maybe “Angels We Have Heard on High”-the Christmas song:). Would love to try Jasmina..as I do love my jasmine!

  • The name of my favorite angel???

    OK, I have to admit not really knowing much about specific angels – I feel like that’s a Catholic thing?

    I’ll just say Gabriel because he’s one of the few I could name.

    For the April Aromatics perfume I’d most like to try, I’ll say Unter den Linden. Thanks for the draw!

  • Just because it’s in my nature to play devil’s advocate, I’d have to say the Evil Angel in Christopher Marlowe’s “Dr. Faustus.” (“Go forward, Faustus, in the famous art!”) And Precious Woods and Bohemian Spice both sound irresistible! But Calling All Angels #1 sounds marvelous, too, and I love Bruno Ganz in “Wings of Desire.”

  • Hmmm… I’m feeling quite ignorant right about now. Named angels in literature? Do I know any? Perhaps my favorite angel is the Angel of Darkness. lol Or how about the anonymous angel from “Send me an Angel” by Annie Lennox?

    Sorry, that’s as good as I can do. I’m a flaming agnostic, after all. (-;

    I’d love to try Rosenlust or Rose l’orange! Or this new one!

  • Angels, scary ones with big wings and shiny swords… No, for me Raphael angel of healing.
    I like the sound of Rose L’orange but have to admit I am eyeing off the sample set.
    Love the notes in Calling all Angels.

  • My favorite angel is Bunuel’s “the Exterminating Angel”- never seen but his presence felt
    would love to test “unter der linden”, although I think “calling all Angels” could be a big hit

    thanks for the draw

  • Archangel Michael is one of the few traditional angels I have had much exposure to, and from what I have learned I would place him as my favorite. Precious Woods sounds like an easy choice for my favorite April Aromatics scent, but Calling All Angels with all those amazing resins incorporated might just surpass Precious Woods!

  • My favorite Angel in art is from a painting by Caravaggio entitled “st Matthew and the Angel”. The painting has been destroyed during WWII but black and white pictures survive. You can check it out online and see for yourselves why this was an amazing painting and it fully shows the originality and humane spirit of the artists work.
    From April Aromatics I would probably choose Precious Woods but Calling All Angels sounds very good too. Have a nice week everyone!

  • My favorite angel is Cassiel from the very popular show “Supernatural” and one of my favorite songs of all time is Train’s “Calling on Angels”. I would love to try SO MANY of Tanya’s all natural perfumes :unter der linden, nectar of love,preciious woods,liquid dreams and after this outstanding review, calling all angels as well 🙂 !! I would also love to see this movie-I am a big Peter Falk fan!
    Stay safe and dry, everyone!

  • just breathe says:

    favorite angel- Gabriel. I would love to try April Aromatics Nectar of Love but Calling all Angels sounds just divine! thanks for the draw!

  • marcopietro says:

    Michael über alles! Michael is my favorite, I love the iconography about him in classical painting.

  • Michael is my favorite angel. Calling All Angels would be my
    fragrance pick.Thanks for the draw!

  • Damiel in Der himmel uber Berlin. I especially love the part of the movie where that man had an accident and Damiel touches him on his head, giving him flashes of his memories. The sad music, his words, the actors’ play they all make Der himmel uber Berlin a great movie.

    I also appreciate Damiel because he decides to give up his holy gift of immortality and all his qualities of an angel in order to find out what love really is. The ultimate sacrifice.

  • I remember the Nicholas Cage movie too! Always meant to see Wings of Desire…now I will!

    My favorite angel(s) in art–probably the song ‘BeShem Hashem’ which is in Hebrew and names Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael, as the angels all around the singer, with God’s presence above.

    Calling All Angels would probably be my fave–vanilllic incense, myrrh, honeyed wood…,whoa.
    I also really want to try Precious Woods and Bohemian Spice.
    Thanks for the review and draw!

  • After reading Jasia’s review, this is the April Aromatics perfume I want to try. It sounds exquisite.
    And considering a favourite angel, that is difficult but the first one always to come to my mind is Nicolas Cage in the City of Angels (oh how I cried after that movie finished).

  • It would be nice if I could follow instructions – sorry(this is not a second attempt at the draw, I promise 🙂

    I am most intrigued by Bohemian Spice and Nectar of Love

    xo

  • My car is named Gabriel ^^ after the angel. Because my first license plate was (randomly) 666… so I was all… hmm I should do something to counter it. Since then I also got a pendent depicting the angel Gabriel.

    I’ve always wanted to try her linden scent or Nectar of Love.

    ^^

    Thank you for the draw.

  • I don’t know anything about biblical angels, so I’d have to say my favourite is Clarence from Miracle. Bohemian Spice is totally me! Thanks for the article and draw.

  • Jasia, this is now my absolute favorite review of yours, which is saying a lot, as you’ve written some truly beautiful pieces. But this is so tender, and makes me want to re-watch this film and experience this amazing sounding fragrance.

    I have a couple favorite angels. One is John Travolta’s naughty portrayal of the Archangel Michael, in the film “Michael,” because he loves the same earthly things that I love. And the other is the mysterious angel statue in a children’s novel titled “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler” … the statue is rumored to be a lost work of Michaelangelo.

  • Love Bohemian Spice <3 The archangel Michael is a favorite and am most drawn to. Would love to try this one..All the notes that dance on my skin.

  • Morningstar is my favorite as well, both tragic and relatable.
    Bohemian spice is a masterpiece, but Calling all the angels sounds like t was made for me – just perfect.

  • my favorite angel is nature with all it’s beauty and force. And i do know April Aromatics and love it. Right now i feel very much like Rosenlust. All the best and thanks. 🙂 Lina Grace

  • At this moment my preferred angel is Lassiter, The Fallen Angel from J.R.Ward’ Black Dagger Brotherwood Saga . My fragrance? Bohemian Spice, without doubt!

  • My favorite Angel is the one next to Jesus in Salzillo’s image “La horación en el huerto” (The prayer in the orchard).
    And my favorite April Aromatics perfume is Linden Blossom. It’s sooo nice and relaxing…

    Thanks for the draw!

  • One of my favorite depictions of angels is a painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, titled “Song of the Angels.” In it, Mary and the baby Jesus are ministered to by female angels playing stringed instruments. I think I’d most like to try Unter Den Linden. Thanks!

  • My fav angel is Michael. Love also ” there must be an angel” by Eurythmics. I would love to try Calling all Angels! Sounds really good!

  • Does Angel from Buffy count?

    Callin all Angels sounds right up my alley, as does Nectar of Love

  • I absolutely love this movie and the music played in it is also exquisit. I also love a not very known song by George Michael called “cowboys and angels”!
    The perfume I’d like to try apart from calling all angels is nectar of love!
    Thank you!

  • Buffy’s Angel is my favorite but only because Buffy is the best thing to ever air on television. I’ll watch reruns until I go blind. The perfume I’d most like to try is Nectar of Love.

  • I appreciate very much the work of Michelangelo after I read The Agony and the Ecstasy, therefore the angels that he painted on the Sistine Chaepl are my favourite… by default.
    A true genius that combined passion, force, grace, fury and gave life to all his paints and sculptures, including the angels from the paintings and including the sculpture named Angel. I much prefer painting over sculpture, but I can not deny that Angel is a true work of an art.

    Thanks for the draw

  • Well, I already note that it has been stated, but as a Supernatural fan I also am a fan of Castiel…how his character changes from the typical unemotional apathetic angel in the show to one who starts feeling human emotion and caring and how he works with Winchester brothers to prevent evil. Thanks for the draw.

  • One of my favorite angels in literature would be Memnoch from Anne Rice’s novel. Found him quite interesting. I also would love to try Rosenlust or Rose L’Orange. Thank you for the chance!

  • Seconding the TV series Supernatural’s Castiel as a favorite angel, he’s really interesting and Greg I hear he’s coming back in the Nov.14 ep. I think the character is based on the angel Cassiel, which as is mentioned in the post is also in the Wenders film. Actually, this new one (Calling all Angels) sounds like the perfume I’d like to try, also maybe Nectar of Love?

  • My favorite angels are the beautiful ones adorning Bass Hall in Fort Worth. Google them. They’re fantastic, but I can’t figure out how to attach a photo. I have heard many positive things about this perfumer and I would like to try Mectar o Love.

  • Olga (Warum) says:

    Calling all Angels sounds like a wonderful perfume! This is the one I would like to try from the line, and also Unter den Linden and Jasmina. What? Do I have to choose? Oooh, so hard. Jasmina then. Got to try one while I am still on a jasmine kick.

    Oooh, my favorite angels. Not counting one from the Christmas tree top in an old obscure Leonid Andreev’s story, my favorite angels are not traditional and do not smell like incense.

    Do you know Richard Thompson? His song “Vincent Black Lightning 1952”? it is one of my favorite songs of all times, it is about a biker who “fought with the law since [he] was seventeen and robbed many a man to get my Vincent machine”. He falls in love and is ready to give his girl his love, his hand and even his bike – but only when he is not riding it himself. His dangerous life had to end soon and as his girlfriend sits by him here is what happens:
    Then he reached for her right hand and he slipped her the keys
    He said I’ve got no further use for these
    I see angels on Ariels in leather and chrome
    Coming down from heaven to carry me home
    And he gave her one last kiss and died
    And he gave her his Vincent to ride.

    Angels can be anywhere and everywhere, and this is how that dangerous broken guy was able to see them – but the thing is, he WAS able to see them…

  • tomatefarcie says:

    Maybe she’s not technically an angel, but I’d go with Beatrice of “The Divine Comedy.” She certainly knew the terrain and gave a great tour…

    As for the perfume I’d choose Unter den Linden, sounds lovely as does Calling All Angels.

  • My favourite depiction of an angel is in the song of Jimi Hendrix named “Angel”. A song about that special person from our life and who is like an angel to us. You really shoud listen to this great song by one of the greatest musicians that ever lived.

    Thanks!

  • My favorite angels are byzantine ones, depicted on old icons, they feel melancholic and sweet. I would love to smell this new incense perfume, it seems to be in the same line as my old-fashioned angels!

  • i love this:
    als das kind kind war
    wusste es nicht, dass es kind war…
    (when the child was a child
    it did not know that it was a child…)

    before the fall, so to speak.
    or: before self-consciousness (that reminds me that i am WAY into fig fragrances lately.but i digress.)

    favorite angel: i don’t know that i have one.
    i DO love karl knaussgard’s book “a time for everything” —
    a most amazing story, featuring angels prominently (and highly recommended.)

    as for perfume: i think i *would* like to try this “calling all angels.”
    or else: rosenlust (for the name alone.)

  • I love this write-up and the scent sounds divine (no pun intended).. it’s truly very much like a cathedral experience.. and yet it is light and sparkling in some ways.. Sounds amazing. my favorite angels are Raphael and Gabriel.. though I have others that I like (and a couple I think I have seen)..– I am more of the pre-Raphaelite angels with the long flowing hair.. but the Byzantine ones are awesome too.
    I love this scent.. it sounds very very interesting. Calling All Angels
    but this is one interesting piece.

  • My favourite angelic character is Juliet from the Shakespearean classic, ‘Romeo & Juliet’. I am a keen actress, and she is one role that I love to play. The Baz Luhrmann film of the same name, has Claire Danes play the role of Juliet, and she is perfectly cast as the sweet-voiced, baby faced character in this modern film adaptation.

    I have only tested one April Aromatics fragrance, and that is Rose L’Orange. Needless to say, I was very impressed. I would love the opportunity to try more.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • I love Aziraphale and Crowley from the Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett novel “Good Omens”.

    I have never tested any April Aromatics fragrances, but Calling All Angels sounds like it would be perfect for me – well, also Bohemian Spice and Nectar of Love!

  • Wonderful post! I love the angel detail in Da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks. I have had that on my wall since I saw the original at the National Gallery in London.
    Always wanted to try Precious Woods by April Aromatics.

    Calling All Angels sounds absolutely incredible. I’d be thrilled to try it!! Thank you for the draw.

  • I love the Angels William Bouguereau painted. My favorite is painting is “The song of the Angels”.

    I would like to try “Nectar of love”.

    Thank you! 😀

  • “Gabriel’s Message” is one of my favorite Christmas songs.

    Calling All Angels sounds like my kind of fragrance and I’d love to try it. Unter den Linden sounds great too!

  • One of my favorite references to angels in music is the Black Crowes She Talks To angels. The lyrics give me the chills. Calling All Angels sounds like the April Aromatics scent that I would love to try the best! Thanks for the draw.

  • Angels by Marc Chagall create a rich sensual palette, from a most cheerful, mirth-like to deep sadness…Some of my favorites angels is the color lithograph for Fernand Mourlot’s book “Chagall Lithographs” and the mermaid of the Bay of Angels.

    I’m most attracted to Bohemian Spice (ever-powerful Indonesian patchouli & frankincense notes) and Unter den Linden (linden blossoms & frangipani)…Looking forward to experiencing them soon! 🙂