REVIEW of "VISIONS" - by Ruth Papalia

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figaro
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REVIEW of "VISIONS" - by Ruth Papalia

Post by figaro »

The playing of harpist Myra Kovary and flautist Laura Campbell on the new CD "Visions for Flute and Harp" written by Laurie Conrad is superb. The music is well-adapted to the two instruments and captures visual images of nine scenes familiar to the Ithaca area. It is soothing and healing to listen to, as one would expect from such titles as "Sunlight on the Falls" and "Echoes on the Cliffs." Ms. Conrad uses interesting effects in rhythm at times by overlapping tempos (having one instrument play at a faster tempo than the other) and does not over-do special effects on the harp. The ensemble of the two mature performers is excellent. Ms. Kovary, to whom the piece is dedicated, is very interpretive in the technically demanding harp solo "The Music of the Spheres." An additional piece by Ms. Conrad, "Elegie," dedicated to the innocent victims of the Iraqi war, provides pleasant contrast to round out this recording.

Ruth Wickersham Papalia is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and studied privately with Carlos Salzedo. She has toured the United States and Canada as a member of "The Angelaires Harp Quintet." Over the past twenty years she has served the American Harp Society in various leadership positions including New York Regional Director and Chairman of the Board.
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