Or I-MA-MAI
CD by Monika Stadler
Available from: www.harp.at, Price 18 Euros.
Review by H
I have recently been listening to this CD by Monika Stadler,
a very accomplished harpist and composer.
Monika
studied at Vienna’s University of
Music & Performing Arts and later studied Jazz harp with acclaimed Jazz
harpist Deborah Henson-Conant. She has played with the Vienna Symphony
Orchestra, Vienna National Opera and has also played at the Edinburgh Harp
Festival in 2003.
This CD
is a mix of folk, jazz and music in a more contemporary style. If you are
hoping for a CD of Muzak that you can play in the background, forget it!!. The
Music on this CD will drag your attention away from what you are doing by its
wonderfully emotive and lyrical style and content.
To give
you a taster I will a review of some of the tracks:-
I-MA-MAI ( Song for
the Earth )
This is
the title track and is about a Female Indian Shaman, sitting in a holy place,
singing for and to Mother Earth. This is a wonderfully evocative piece. Just
light a smudge stick, close your eyes and you are there with her.
MAHO BAY
This has
an Irish Folk type melody which is played with a jazz influence in parts. This
may seem strange but it is very effective and sounds great.
TRAVELLING (On the Road)
This is in a more contemporary
style and reminds me of Catrin Finch playing Harpers Bizzare by Karl Jenkins.
It has the same energy and sense of motion.
COMING HOME
This track certainly lives up to
its name. It has the feeling you get when you arrive home after a long trip,
kick off your shoes and sit back with a nice long drink. AAAAHHH !!!. A very
laid back and restful piece of music.
RONDO NANINGO
This
was written by Deborah Henson-Conant but was arranged for solo harp by Monika.
This track sounds very good with its Latin American/ Spanish
feel, very reminiscent of Rodrigo.
I hope that this review gives you a taste of the music on
this CD and that I’ve done justice to it.
All in all a very enjoyable CD by a very talented Lady (She
has a very good singing voice as well).
Many
thanks to Wilf for bringing the music of Monika Stadler to my attention. I will
be adding more of her CDs to my collection in the near future.
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