Breathe - The Relaxing Harp

Breathe: The Relaxing Harp is a compilation featuring tracks from several albums by American harpist Yolanda Kondonassis. If one wonders why such a compilation should have been necessary, inasmuch as Kondonassis has mostly recorded thematic collections of short pieces (like Quietude) anyhow, the answer is that her recordings have been strong sellers. Harp music may be relaxing however it's played, but the hallmark of Kondonassis' playing is a strong, sweeping quality that brings out plenty of volume in the harp's difficult lower register. She is not a harpist of the "potted-palm" sort but is quite a dramatic player. Kondonassis is nicely matched with the engineers of the sonically sophisticated Telarc label, which provides her with a close-up, intimate sound environment that's really quite seductive. The ordering of works is intelligent here, with tonal pieces (Vivaldi, Bach, folk songs) serving as introduction and intermission between the deeper colorings of Post-Romantic French pieces.