Release Date: January 17, 2025
Label: Independent
The first disc's track is “Harbor Cove,” which begins with a
soft, rhythmic harp accompanied by a floating background synth. Like a fluffy
cloud, the synth harmonizes with Christina's heavenly sounds. The delicate and
precise harp's soothing and healing powers invite you to pause, reflect, and
relax.
"Tranquility" befits its name. The Harp starts slowly
with purpose, then Christina plays some parts quickly, and you notice the
emphasis. Then the pace, tone, and rhythm change again, sounding so comforting,
like a lullaby.
"Gentle Souls" surprised me with its harp sound
resembling a piano, a similarity I hadn't noticed before despite my years of
listening to harp music. This shorter track exudes warmth and is sure to
resonate with your soul.
"In the Glow" ironically begins with a piano! Then,
the Harp joins in, and they come together nicely. A layer of synth enters, and
then a flute begins. All the different parts start falling into place. An
acoustic Spanish-flavored guitar comes into the mix for a more worldly sound,
and then the flute returns. The composition gathers momentum, creating a
gorgeous soundscape that delights the senses. The Harp brushes over the other
instruments like a feather for the final touches.
The track “Passacaglia—Handel's Healing Harp” is a flavorful
mixture of sounds that showcases the harp's diverse capabilities. It sometimes
sounds like an acoustic guitar, demonstrating that the harp is more than
one-dimensional. This surprising diversity can bring a range of sounds to the
listener, delighting and surprising them.
"Unité" is a magical combination of the harp and a
lovely flute, creating a sound that transports you to a densely populated
forest with the sun peeking through the trees. Its pleasing, melodic rhythm is
sure to captivate your senses.
"Prelude in C" is just under three minutes; however,
it makes an impression quickly with some adept playing with the synth layer for
it to float over for a nice touch.
"Love of Creation—The Dove" starts with the bell
ringing to begin your meditative journey. The Harp plays, and a background
synth sounds like voices coming together, like a small choir. The harp magic creates
another vision to complement its purity and simple beauty.
"Anam Cara" is another track that takes under three
minutes. I liked the track's mixture of time frames, which always seems just
right—neither too little nor too much. The sound was pleasing and rhythmic, not
toe-tapping but more like a sync or flow that makes you feel like you are one
with the music.
"Carrickfergus" is a large town in County Antrim,
Northern Ireland, dating back to the 12th century. It is known for its castle
and its walled town. The emerald isle gets a tribute that is as picturesque as
its cliffs by the ocean and the lush green grass everywhere—a bit of history
set to music.
"Music Is Love" is a true statement. If it's not, then
what is? Its directness, purity, and simplicity soothe the soul and give us
time to go inward to reflect or let the day's worries slip away—most of all,
particularly with music like this, is spiritual and healing. You can hear all
of that in every note.
"Geodepédie-Hidden Light" is a journey with wordless
singing that is quite lovely and the perfect complement to the Harp. Christine
plays the Harp the way a guitarist moves their fingers up and down the strings,
effortlessly evoking images of serenity and joy. The complexity of her playing
is fantastic on this track. A lot is going on with those fingers! It's such a
lovely song.
"White Rose" has that synth layer again, which sounds
like voices coming together and complements the harps' sound and colors. It is
like a musical sermon that will engage you every time.
"Avondale" is like a satin sheet sliding across your
skin; the flute calls you with a whisper in the wind. You follow willingly as
the Harp has you hypnotized.
"Sky's Invitation" starts and gives you a look into
the vastness of space, which is the intention to bring about that feeling.
There is a whirling synth sound like cosmic winds that will carry you away on
this cloud of enchanting music. Suddenly, there is a change of significance
where the music takes a different direction, sounding slightly more pensive
than usual, like a warning. Then you realize the awesomeness of the universe
and the feelings of the unknown rush over you. The Harp reminds you this is a
spiritual journey, and nothing will harm you.
"Clair de Lune," written by French poet Paul Verlaine
in 1869. It inspired the third and most famous movement of Claude Debussy's
1890 Suite Bergamasque. Bird sounds are in the air as the Harp serenades them,
and the synth layer provides a solid launching pad for any other sound to land on,
as it has so well in prior tracks. It is a classic composition, given some
elegance and an ethereal mysticism that only the harp can provide.
CD 2 begins with “Imaginings,” a light-hearted arrangement that
will make you smile inside. It is a step away from the sounds you had heard. It
sounds more pop-like and happy, and then a guitar is added to echo that feeling
and atmosphere. The guitar is jazz-inflected with its rhythms and softness,
adding to the texture and approach of the harp.
"Colors of the Season" is a personal invitation to
whatever season of the year you may love or would like to focus on. The Harp's
exquisite sound of tenderness is like a flower opening with the first rays of
the new rising sun.
"Amethyst Of Avalon" starts with angelic, wordless
vocals as the Harp's notes dance around the vocals like a graceful ballerina
telling a story with physical movements alone. That picture came to my mind
rather quickly.
"Willow" begins with a running stream and birds
singing, a perfect scenario to start a meditative state. The flute makes itself
known after being absent from several previous tracks. The flute has an
affinity for an organic setting that fits so well with nature and its surroundings.
The flute playing is exemplary. I will use this one to help with relaxation and
meditation.
"Fingal's Cave and The Sea" is a cave on the
uninhabited island of Staffa, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, known for its
natural acoustics. Once again, the connection between nature and the sounds you
will hear is significant in these compositions. As the harp moves along like a
metronome setting the pace, the flute gives us another look at its versatility
and pleasant sounds.
"Canon In D" is Pachelbel's Canon, which was initially
scored for three violins and basso continuo and paired with a gigue, known as
Canon and Gigue for three violins and basso continuo. The Harp begins with
light steps of plucking to introduce the choir of wordless vocals, creating a
scenario of angels singing in heaven. The Harp's history has that connection to
heaven and artwork across the centuries and in many other instances. Six
minutes of perfection in music and clarity to enrich one's soul.
"Shadow Spirit" features some complex playing in a
more compact track in under three minutes. Everything one would want to hear
from the Harp is accomplished in those few minutes. The artistry is perfected
on this consistent canvas of beauty.
"Light of Life" quickly adds the flute's spellbound
abilities, and something new I had not heard yet is a cello. Cellos typically
have a longing, sad tone; however, this track sounds more like a lower-toned
violin, which complements the composition's melody and feather-like atmosphere.
"The Swan" is a beautiful and graceful creature. The
Harp is the appropriate instrument to mirror that kind of natural beauty. And
it does so with the grace and preciseness you have become accustomed to hearing
throughout this compilation. The flute is here to add to its overall ambiance
and is always a welcome addition.
"Reminisce"- Most people enjoy
"reminiscing," consciously or subconsciously. Reminiscing is a sweet
reminder of our past and what we hold dear. The Harp is all alone and nicely setting
the atmosphere for that frame of mind.
"As Above, So Below" is a prevalent term I think most
people have heard. Regarding tarot cards, for instance, it is a popular modern
paraphrase of the second verse of the Emerald Tablet. This short Hermetic text
first appeared in an Arabic source from the late eighth or early ninth century.
Clocking in at 8:40, it is the longest track of the set. The
Harp is efficient in its approach, and the synth plays a significant role in
shifting sounds and textures. The timing of each sound is purposeful and
measured. Gorgeous layers of sound fall on you like a light and warm rain
washing over, beautiful. Another track that would be an excellent meditation
guide.
"Birch" differs significantly from all the previous
tracks, and I enjoyed it. The drums sound like a tribal rhythm, and a pleasant
flute accompanies its auditory brilliance. The Harp comes in, and you start to
hear rain. Here again, the sounds of nature form a patchwork quilt of sound and
living beauty.
“Adante” is Mozart’s sonata 13 andante. Many of these songs are
influenced by classical music, and I like this one in a literal sense, as it is
the actual composition and tribute to its creator. It sounds so regal and
enchanting. The music will cast its spell upon you and take you back to another
time and place.
"Cherubim" refers to a Cherub, known in the plural
form as Cherubim, an angelic figure repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. Cherubim
is described as serving the will of God and performing divine duties in the
earthly realm. The heavenly sounds of this magnificent instrument called the
Harp end this lovely compilation and variations of sounds with the most
appropriate reference that it could. This music indeed performs the divine will
of God. It is the shortest track to close the curtain at 2:24 and the most
magnificent way.
From The Angelic Harp—The Best of Christina Tourin is an expansive career retrospective for one of the world’s most accomplished Harp experts. It contains music that combines the best elements of new age and classical while offering many choices for relaxation and meditation.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR
Reviews Founder
January 17, 2025
Tracks
CD1:
01. Harbor Cove-4:56
02. Tranquility-7:03
03. Gentle Souls-3:29
04. In the Glow-6:21
05. Passacaglia - Handel's Healing Harp-5:01
06. Unité-3:59
07. Prelude in C-2:46
08. Love of Creation - The Dove-4:41
09. Anam Cara-2:47
10. Carrickfergus-2:39
11. Music Is Love-2:11
12. Geodepédie - Hidden Light-4:52
13. White Rose-2:56
14. Avondale-3:01
15. Sky's Invitation-5:52
16. Clair de Lune-3:37
CD 2:
01. Imaginings-4:40
02. Colors of the Season-2:57
03. Amethyst Of Avalon-3:29
04. Willow-5:49
05. Fingal's Cave and The Sea-4:25
06. Canon In D-6:00
07. Shadow Spirit-2:46
08. Light of Life-5:30
09. The Swan-3:50
10. Reminisce-3:57
11. As Above So Below-8:40
12. Birch-4:56
13. Adante-5:55
14. Cherubim-2:24