"Love Song to a Planet "
by Kim Robertson and Bettine Clemen
reviewed by Sara Paris Bay
An audiophile's dream, this collection of eleven classical,
folk and original pieces were recorded with great aural depth and clarity.
On this project, the clean beauty of both Kim Robertson's Celtic harp and
Bettine Clemen's flutes acquire
an unearthly vividness in presence and tonal color thanks to the work of
sound engineer Robert Hughes. A keynote theme of revering and celebrating
our planet, its natural forces and creatures, is sounded with the Anton
Dvorak anthem "New World", introduced by the expansive chord voices
of the harp. Adding to the protean body of her recorded work, Kim Robertson
contributes four original compositions to this CD: "Vivo", a lively
percussion-accented dance; "L'Espoir" a romantic meditation in
a minor key with Anthea Scott-Mitchell on cello; "Dancing Gaia",
a spirited piece, evocative of breezy, Mediterranean isles; and, with Gregory
Fast, "Shanti" a celestial revery whose Sanskrit title means "peace."
On her completely solo offering, "The Dark Island",
Kim displays the articulate lyricism that is the soul of her style. To her
credit, also, are eight of the eleven arrangements which make use of her
and Bettine's refined, well-exercized musical instincts. Together they have
created an energetic, precision new age chamber music including cello, percussion,
bells and synthesizer with sounds harvested from nature: birds, creeks,
wolves, waves and crickets. This is a brilliant and sensitive "concept"
album, likely to become a classic in its own genre. Like a beautiful fragrance,
the feeling of "Love Song to a Planet" lingers long after the
last vibrating breath of music is heard.
Copyright © 1998 Sara Paris Bay
originally published in the Folk Harp Journal
For more information regarding Bettine Clemen's musical life and creative projects,
please visit her web-site at http://www.joyofmusic.com
Other articles you may enjoy ...
The Carving of the "Sirr" Harp by Charlotte O'Faolain-Hallett
An American Harper in Wales by Jane Valencia
Kim Robertson Home Page and Newsletter
Harpers' Hall & culinary society
page design and original graphic art copyright © 1998 Adam Victor Christensen