JOSEFINE
AND TRINE OPSAHL
Leaving My
Silent Empty House
Heart
to Heart Records (2008)
So
many times the expression "the apple never falls far from the tree"
has a negative connotation, but in the case of mother and daughter, Trine and
Josefine Opsahl, the saying instead connotes that talent does indeed run in the
family. No, check that - abundant talent runs in the family. Harpist
Trine and cellist (and daughter) Josefine come together on Leaving My Silent Empty House and, to be blunt, this album blew me
away. I was already wowed by Trine's Somewhere
in a Hidden Memory (2012), which for me is one of the finest harp
recordings ever released (if you think that's hyperbole, you haven't
listened to it yet - trust me). While this album was recorded several years
prior to Somewhere in…, Trine
obviously had already refined her harp playing to an incredibly nuanced and
beautiful level. Cellist Josefine was only 16 when this album was recorded
which, when you hear her play, will likely astound you (it sure did me). Like I
wrote above, "apple…not far…tree…" Oh yes, so true.
The
album's title gives more than a hint of the mood present on many of the eleven
tracks, although truth be told, with cello and harp as the instruments, one
would expect a more low key, impressionistic, and sometimes somber affair.
However, there are moments here when the mood is less melancholic and is,
instead, warm and inviting, such as the uptempo "Under a Bright Moon."
Yet, the overall evocation of the recording is more in line with the somewhat
forlorn album title itself. Of course, if one actually thinks it through, the leaving
of a "silent and empty house" might, instead, elicit emotions such as
relief, optimism, even joy. However, this is just my analysis from a narrative
standpoint. The music is, if not outright somber, more often than not delicate
and pointedly subdued. That doesn't keep it from being intensely beautiful and,
in fact, while this album would make ideal background music for anything from
relaxation and massage to daydreaming and late night reading, concentrated and
in-depth listening will reveal much depth and attention to detail (credit
mixing and producing to Henning Olsen and mastering to Dave Blackburn). With
one exception, all the tracks were composed by Trine, and daughter Josefine
arranged all the cello parts herself.
It's
somewhat unnecessary to go into a lot of detail about the tracks, since there
is a distinct feeling of uniformity throughout the eleven selections.
"Fairies in Moonlight" is light in mood and the cello, in particular,
seems rooted in classical motifs. "Under a Bright Moon" opens with
some solo harp and when the cello enters, the mood becomes more somber and
sedate, however the piece does shift gears at the three-minute mark, becoming
light-hearted and fanciful, keeping this mood until the conclusion. On
"Lion's Heart," the harp has a notable Renaissance sound to its
melody and the cello enters the song deep in its lower registers. Again, the
piece builds into something more energetic, but not upbeat in mood, just
uptempo in pace. "After the Rain" is a gorgeous folk harp number,
reminding me of Glenn Walker Johnson's music (an obscure but super talented
folk harpist who lives in the northwoods of Wisconsin). It has the same
lightness of feel that his music holds - gentle but uptempo (not an easy
paradox to master). Cello takes the lead on the title track, and Josefine bows
her instrument with sublime grace while Trine follows behind, embellishing the
lead cello melody perfectly. The last
track, "True Thomas," sounds Celtic (and it should since it is
inspired by the Irish legend of Thomas the Rhyme) and features Trine and
Josefine on accordion as well as their respective instruments. It's a downbeat
tune, perhaps based on a story laced with tragedy (it has that feel to it), but
it's a wonderful closing song to an equally wonderful album.
Leaving My
Silent Empty House
is a 2008 album and while Trine has since released Somewhere in a Hidden Memory, it's high time the world was favored
with a follow-up recording by this mother-daughter duo. Talent this good should
be rewarded with acclaim and success, so get onboard and pick up on this one so
Trine and Josefine will be motivated and inspired enough to get back in the
studio and give us more of the family magic.
The album can be purchased at iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby, as well as directly from the artist.
thanks ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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