August 2008 Music Review
Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac
CD Correction: In June's issue we listed the wrong contact information for Terri Hendrix's CD The Spiritual Kind. Her CD is available from www.terrihendrix.com and amazon.com, or call 512-426-7288. Our apologies.
Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac
Classical with a modern twist… or is it modern with a classical flavor? Whatever you call it, I find the music of the Ahn sisters (violinist Angella, pianist Lucia and cellist Maria) intriguing from the first note. It's gentle, suave but simple, uncomplicated yet not simplistic.
These Korean-born and Juilliard-trained musical sisters thrive on dissolving the barriers between genres, and even between art forms. Inviting us to leave our preconceptions about what is and is not classical behind, they filter into the essence of lullaby juicy elements of jazz, new age, folk, pop, minimalism, avant-garde, chill, lounge and hip-hop.
Even their idea of lullaby challenges us to embrace a new perspective. If you're thinking Brahms, think again.'“Lullabies are traditionally very simple melodies that are small yet powerful in their emotional content,” explains Maria.”“In every culture they are the same. We started by choosing lullaby-worthy material and then did ‘modern classical' treatments of them, which for us meant creating something edgy but at the same time'minimalist, since lullabies should always be simple.
You're sure to recognize at least one melody they found “lullaby-worthy”: Rodgers' and Hart's “My Funny Valentine,” arranged by Kenji Bunch, who also contributes several of his own melodies to the album, including the title track. “We met Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers' daughter, while at Juilliard, so we chose this tune as a tribute to her.” The CD includes two compositions by acclaimed film-composer Michael Nyman, a natural fit for the Ahn sisters. Other”“lullabies” come from a star-studded cast, all beautifully arranged and performed, simple but arty, in tune with the tone of the album.
The Ahns call Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac a “reflective yet impulsive album,” and I have to agree. That is the feeling I get from it. It is lovely—a gentle blessing for the ears, the heart and the soul.
—Chiwah
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