REVIEW: CHRISTINA TOURIN - Geodepédie – Hidden Light

CHRISTINA TOURIN
Geodepédie – Hidden Light
Emerald Harp Productions

This is my first exposure to harpist Christina Tourin’s music (not that surprising, I suppose, since this is her first album since 2010). However, the warmth and intimacy of music is enveloping that after a few tracks, it felt like rediscovering a long-lost friend. Geodepédie – Hidden Light puts Tourin’s artistry and soulfulness front and center throughout the album’s sixteen songs, although there are noteworthy contributions scattered among the tracks from others (see below). The selections are culled from an assortment of Celtic, classical, and traditional tunes (all with the artist’s own arrangements, obviously). Tourin also composed some of the tracks (again, see below).

While the overarching theme and mood of the album is, as befitting the harp in most cases, serene and contemplative, every now and then a song emerges with a different mood, such as the subdued liveliness heard on “Icelandic Northern Lights,” where her harp dances playfully alongside Peter Sprague’s guitar). For the most part, though, this is an album for quieter times; however, not in a somber or darker fashion at all. The flow of positivity that permeates Geodepédie – Hidden Light is palpable. Near the end, she even migrates over into spacemusic territory with the longest track on the album, “As Above, So Below,” on which synths play a more prominent role.

Now and then, on the classical pieces, you will likely recognize the familiar refrain or two, e.g., “Grieg’s Morning Mood,” where her harp is expertly accompanied with subtly applied orchestral synths, mirroring when the piece is performed with an orchestra.

While there are some vocals (wordless) here and there (ably performed by Buvana Gerlach), this is a wholly instrumental album to my mind. As such, you can enjoy this as background accompaniment to gentle activities, meditation, daydreaming, or anything where the music can be heard either intently or as a soothing sonic backdrop.

As long-time readers know who have followed me for years, I am a giant fan of all sorts of harp music and I am pleased to include Christina Tourin among those whom I have heard and can solidly recommend.

ALBUM DETAILS

Tracks are traditional/classical with arrangements by Christina Tourin except “Music Is Love,“ “Walk Through The Sunflowers,” “Reminisce,” “Amethyst Of Avalon,” “As Above, So Below,” and “Colors Of The Season.”

Produced by Christina Tourin

Engineered by Peter Sprague

Musicians:
Christina Tourin (harp)
Peter Sprague (guitar/synth)
David Eastoe (synth)
Suzanne Doucet (synth)
Buvana Gerlach (vocals)
Lies Joosten (harp on track 1)