Stock: 
Format: 
Number of CDs: 2
Release Date: 26-10-1998
Label: Celestial Harmonies
Catalog Number: 14018-2
Barcode: 13711401820
Musical Style: Classical
Track Listing:
| Disc 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Albion Chorale/The Discovery [21:31] | 3 | Riding the Westerleys [16:40] |
| 2 | Orchestra of Tao [15:30] | ||
| Disc 2 | |||
| 1 | Cadence on the Wind [05:02] | 5 | Magic Knot Waltz [09:25] |
| 2 | Premonition Rag [06:37] | 6 | Circle of Wolves [09:46] |
| 3 | Return of the Ancestors [10:00] | 7 | Land's End [06:51] |
| 4 | Ascending Whale Dreams [08:30] | ||
Description:
The Harp of New Albion is a transfixing solo piano recording, conceived and performed by world–renowned minimalist composer, the ever–innovative Terry Riley. His inspiration for this work came from a legendary harp, left behind in the New World in 1579, on the shores of Nova Albion, which is now called San Francisco Bay. A Native American medicine man is said to have found the harp and placed it on a cliff where the westerly winds played upon it and temperature and humidity changes created an ever–shifting set of tonalities. Riley bases the ten movements of The Harp of New Albion on the concept of tonalities. The liner notes enclosed in both the compact disk and cassette explain the complicated ratios Riley devised for tuning his octaves. He says, The idea of piano as harp influences my method of playing, as does the tuning from which the particular consonances and dissonances determine the emerging energies that flow through both instrument and performer.' Although Riley improvises throughout The Harp of New Albion, each movement is defined by structural or composed elements. Astonishingly, the halo of harmonics drifting above his solo piano creates an orchestral sound, complete with horns, reeds, strings and voices. At times, the melodic interplay is ethereal, the micro–tonal relationships within the standing waves of sounds creating a haunting spectrum. Special note should be taken of the majestic Bösendorfer Imperial grand piano, especially tuned for Riley to play in the acoustically–fabulous Academy of Music in München, Germany. The entire recording was accomplished during one incredible night of inspired piano performance.'
Biography:
American composer Terry Riley is best known as one of the founders of minimalism. His first successful composition, In C , had a significant effect on artists like Philip Glass and Steve Reich who went on to popularize the minimalistic techniques Riley introduced in his work. In the 70s and early 80s, Riley gained attention for his solo concerts in which he performed extended improvisations for keyboard and voice. During this time, he was heavily influenced by classical Indian music, which he studied in–depth under the tutelage of the legendary vocalist Pandit Pran Nath. In recent years, Riley has fulfilled commissions for internationally recognized symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles. His work for string quartet, Salome Dances For Peace, performed by the Kronos Quartet has received accolades worldwide.
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