Julianna Berwick and Ma Tragic Magic [ARTPL-250] Japan Music CD

Product Description
A record of quiet, profound "magic," where voice and harp seem to melt into the heavens. Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore?c This collaborative album, "Tragic Magic," by two leading artists of contemporary ambient/experimental music, is an extremely intimate and highly accomplished work that naturally blends the expressions each artist has cultivated over many years. Julianna Barwick has painted a spiritual space through the layering of her voice, while Mary Lattimore has pioneered a modern sound world with her unique sensibility using the traditional instrument of the harp. In this work, neither artist takes center stage; rather, their sounds quietly resonate with each other, shaping a single landscape. Julianna's vocals float as a resonance that transcends words, and Mary's harp penetrates the space more like light or shadow than melody. The music avoids dramatic developments and strong assertions, yet leaves a definite emotional fluctuation and a deep resonance. The contrasting words "Tragic" and "Magic" in the album title symbolize the duality of this work. The music is serene yet never inorganic. The breathing-like rhythm, the reverberation of the sound, and the use of pauses are carefully designed, so that listeners feel as if they are immersed in the music rather than simply "listening" to it. It is a very well-balanced expression that is meditative but does not become overly sentimental. While each member has built their reputation and style with their solo works, the core of "Tragic Magic" is "playing together" itself. Improvisation and caution, intimacy and distance. This exquisite relationship gives the work a unique tension and warmth. It will be an album that will stay with listeners for a long time, not only for listeners who love quiet music, but also for those familiar with the context of ambient, new age, and contemporary music. "Tragic Magic" is a rare collaborative work that refuses excessive explanation while evoking different scenes within each listener. Includes a 20-page booklet with commentary, lyrics, and translations.