Search - Michio Miyagi, Alphonse Hasselmans, Yolanda Kondonassis :: Pictures of the Floating World

SUBMERGE YOURSELF!!!

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 07/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tapping into the "mythological mystique" of the harp, and having "been mesmerized by water" since she "was a little girl," Yolanda Kondonassis compels our attention and praise with her atmospheric and flowing recital of "liquid thoughts," the aim of which is to musically combine and conceptualize conscious and subconscious images of brooks, rivers, oceans and imaginary universes of water. Drawing on a diverse collection of composers--- from Debussy [1862-1918] and Marcel Tournier [1879-1951] through the lesser known Michio Miyagi [1894-1956] and Alphonse Hasselmans [1845-1912] to George Rochberg [b.1918], whose own surprisingly luminous work, "Ukiyo-E," from the Japanese "Pictures of the Floating World," and, evocatively enough, the apt title of the CD is, at nearly thirteen minutes, the longest composition--- Kondonassis graces us. Her playing is subtle, caressing, fabulously impressionistic, and never less than convincing in establishing an inspired, other-worldly ambience. As well, with her own mysterious and memorable piece, "Liquid Shadows," she delves even further into moody fantasy. Due to the extraordinary ability of the harp to easily transport us to the most pleasurable of aural places, the enveloped listener is simply a captive audience, especially when the works are as remarkably meditative, reflective and soothing as they are here.[Running time: 54:29]"

Hauntingly beautiful harp music

Melvyn M. Sobel | 12/10/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the most hauntingly, surreal, beautiful harp recording I have ever heard. I use it in my massage therapy practice all the time. Just perfect for relaxing to!!"

Wow!

Melvyn M. Sobel | 05/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is really a fantastically beautiful sounding CD. It is so dignified and spacey at the same time. The selections are extremely eclectic....a little Debussy...a little koto music....an orginal piece..but it all fits together and sounds very natural. If you are interested in something to listen to with the lights turned low, I don't think you can go wrong here."