Description
- Hymnus – [8:48]
- Migration at Dusk – [8:42]
- The Ridgewalker – [8:19]
- Chalice of Shadows – [5:42]
- Berceuse for a Star Child – [5:52]
- Evensong – [10:51]
- Time and Light [15:01]
Deep space drifts, chant-like elements, and rich harmonic textures reflect the timeless, ritual spaces of evening, a tribute to planet Earth.
Bert Strolenberg/SonicImmersion.org –
Although the word Evensong most often refers to the traditional Anglican Church service, various forms of prayer and song at the end of the day have been practiced by humankind across cultures for thousands of years. On a personal level, US-based composer Meg Bowles finds being outdoors during this time of day can be a very powerful antidote for a turbulent world. Evensong draws inspiration from the essence of evening- a time of contemplation and reflection- as well as the idea of a practice of gratitude as expressed through a song cycle while also being rooted in the land, lake, and sky where the composer lives. In addition, throughout this body of work Meg felt compelled to hold the tension between major and minor harmonies as well as between metered and unmetered time. Thus, the music featured on the 63-minute Evensong – Canticles for the Earth is a beautifully crafted collection of uplifting, contemplative and emotive ambient space music of a floating, gentle swirling nature with subtle rhythmic structures surfacing sideways occasionally.
The fourth track Chalice of Shadows taps into an even deeper level, a darker edge of twilight which can be perceived as haunting and mysterious while Berceuse for a Star Child following next is meant as a cosmic music lullaby for the Star Child in all of us. A sense of grace as well as contemplating on the vastness of the cosmos make up the 11-minute title piece, a lament for the wildness that has been lost, especially for the disconnection of our soul with the earth, her creatures, her cycles.
Evensongs 15-minute finale Time and Light displays a soft mourning, bittersweet and intense outcome as the soft glistening music shifts from stark turbulence into a gradual, redemptive melting into timeless Light and a new beginning.
All in all, aficionados of meditative deep space drifts into the deep yet far end should make sure to check out this sonic marvel.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
2018. Bert Strolenberg/SonicImmersion.org