Orbis

This is the seventh CD by 30-year-old pedal harpist Valerie Milot with the loop as a musical concept; musical friends join her with violin, marimba, double bass, percussion, cello, flute, viola and voice; nice variety of neo-classical and popular pieces show off her mastery of this difficult-to-play instrument

No FCC's; Favorite tracks: 1, 5, 7, 8

*1-El Dorado –15:18 – written by Marjan Mozitech; starts slow and contemplative with repeated motif that speeds up; arpeggios beneath accelerating strings; no 12 tones here; very tuneful and skillful; constantly moving and evolving; some is quite dreamy and romantic while other parts are intense and even a little jagged; the harp keeps the violins grounded

2-Electric Counterpoint I –6:51 – Steve Reich composition with an edgy pointillist vibe that waxes and wanes; prettier from mid-point where harp is more treble range

3 -- Electric Counterpoint II –3:22 – tension eases in this lighter second movement which then grows circular and a little monotonous

4-- Electric Counterpoint III—4:27 – even faster and lighter and circular

*5-- In a Landscape –9:17-- John Cage piece starts with simple triads; very harpistic and pretty although quite minimalist as slow arpeggios move up and down the harp octaves and then fade away

6- Castille 1382-- 5:52 – inspired by a 14th century Spanish piece; harp starts and then soprano comes in; lovely glissandos punctuate as harp weaves around vocals

*7 – As Old as You're Young –4:16 – Gentle Giant song – very peppy; I especially like the marimba

*8 – G-spot Tornado –3:23-- Frank Zappa piece originally written for Synclavier rescored for acoustic instruments; filled with wild and crazy energy (what else?)