“From the Angelic Harp Realm: The Best of Christina Tourin” by Christina Tourin
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
We could probably aptly name internationally renowned harp player and educator, Christina Tourin, “First Lady of the Harp.” Christina is one of the most accomplished harpists and harp educators in the world. Christina grew up listening to the sounds of her mother’s golden concert harp. Christina’s mother, Ruth Hersey Cooper, studied music with Marcel Grandjany, the grand master of the harp at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. At a very young age, Christina started composing songs of her own.
By age 8, Christina was performing frequently on “Youth Cavalcade,” a television show in Portland, Maine. Christina also began playing in trio ensembles at Yale University and performed with various orchestras and off-Broadway shows around the New Haven, CT area. Along the way, she became a harpist with the Vermont Symphony, the Vermont Philharmonic, and continued her harp studies by traveling to McGill University each weekend.
Christina’s musical journey is rich, multi-faceted, and utterly fascinating, and you can delve more into that on her website. But, long ago, while in Vermont, she met musical instrument maker, Peter Tourin, which had profound effect upon her life. Christina soon became proficient and knowledgeable in the art of harp building and harp history, and together Peter and Christina, along with creating two gifted children, crafted 75 Celtic and Renaissance harps.
Just one of Christina’s many life accomplishments includes founding the International Harp Therapy Program in 1990 and there are currently multiple harp training centers in several countries. Therapeutic Harp Practitioners from 32 countries serving on five continents have studied Christina’s signature style and are spreading the universal language and Christina’s foundational belief that “Music IS Love.” Now, there’s a legacy.
Her new album, “From the Angelic Harp Realm: The Best of Christina Tourin,” includes 30 selections of her compositions and performances across 17 albums. This is a whopping two disc set with each disc being about 66 minutes (16 and 14 tracks respectively).
The album opens with the super relaxing “Harbor Cove.” Joining Christina as a guest artist is Kim Robertson on harp. The composition was inspired by children discovering periwinkle flowers while Christina played her harp to the ocean waves at Pemaquid Point Harbor in Maine.
Following is the equally tranquil and appropriately titled, “Tranquility – Reflections.” This composition was born while Christina was in Ireland sitting near a stream and is accompanied by trickling sounds and tantalizing musical reflections of light.
Some favorites on this disc: “In The Glow.” This is magnificent. Guest performers: Chas Eller on keyboard and David Eastoe on guitar make this multi-layered and completely beautiful. The “glow” refers to the luminous and divine glow cast from the sun shining down on Dun I Mountain in Scotland.
Unité. . .The song is a call for hope for unity among all. Guest Performers Christine Alicot on sweet flute and Salina Briseno with wordless vocal performance add to the ambiance. Along with Christina’s serene harp these make this piece quite special and memorable.
“Music Is Love.” No doubt, and this is clearly evidenced here. Music is the universal language that crosses all boundaries and barriers. It is pure Love. A brief flowing and melodic harp song (2:11), we certainly get the point.
You may have guessed by now that you must really get the whole thing. It’s impossible to just pick and choose a few tracks. All are exemplary and soothing to the soul in an almost indescribable and healing way.
Disc 2 opens with the joyful, playful, “Imaginings.” Guest performer, Peter Sprague lends his guitar expertise to Christina’s always gorgeous harp performance. This has a happy, nostalgic quality that will stick with you and uplift your spirit.
A true favorite in any shape or form is “Canon in D” (Pachebel). This was a wonderful surprise to find here. I’ve not heard this famous composition done with harp, so this is great. An extremely ethereal vocal performance by Regina Christianson contributes to the “gorgeous.”
“Light of Life” is an exercise in portraying both the dark and light sides of life. Karen Kevra on flute and Judith Hitt on cello assist in perfectly lovely ways with these natural juxtapositions.
A little longer composition at 8:39, “As Above, So Below” is just wonderful in every way. Here we are invited to contemplate the mysteries of Heaven and Earth and anything in between. Soft, gentle, and meditative, this is another to love.
I’m sure there is no better way to close out our journey through these angelic harp realms than with “Cherubim.” Here we are reminded gently to honor the gift of life and acknowledge the angels that surround, protect, and guide us on our way here.
If you love harp music, you’re going to love it even more after listening to this special album. Yes, indeed, get the whole thing.
Available as a physical CD or a digital copy, get it here: https://www.playharp.com/christinatourin/
Listen: https://christinatourin.hearnow.com/
Radio and broadcast media:
Ed & Stacey Bonk
LAZZ Promotions
