Crossing The Ocean
Pentatone, 2023
9/10
The harpist Bridget Kibbey treats us to six solo works penned by composers from across the globe, where a special appearance from Dawn Upshaw adds much to the cultured and intimate landscape.
David Bruce’s “Caja de Música” starts the listen with the twinkling strings emitting a strong attention to mood and warmth, and “Northern Lights”, by Kati Agócs, follows with extremely meticulous patterns that radiant mystery, playfulness and a charming, adventurous spirit across the 5 segments.
Halfway through, Upshaw’s stunning soprano occupies the bare climate of the chilling “Three Butterfly Songs”, while Kinan Azmeh’s “It’s About Time” is a dizzying display of swirling harp sounds that benefits from ambience.
Arriving at the end, “The Ocean Within” uses firm gestures of grace and tension to illuminate Du Yun’s vision across the album’s most exploratory track, which carries a nearly sci-fi appeal.
An effort of world premiere recordings, Kibbey handles her instrument like few others can, and her ability to express, distort and illuminate its many possibilities really does captivate us.
Travels well with: Chicago A Cappella- Miracle Of Miracles: Music For Hanukkah; Anne Vanschothor- That I did always Love, an ode to Emily Dickinson, for harp in a soundscape