The Bend in the Light
Ellen Gibling
Independent (ellengibling.ca)
Nova Scotia-based harpist Ellen Gibling expertly performs in wide-ranging styles. Her McGill classical harp training helped establish her as a gifted classical/experimental music solo and ensemble performer. Her interest in Irish traditional music led her to the University of Limerick’s Master’s Program in Irish Traditional Music, graduating in 2019 and now, this release. Gibling performs her solo harp arrangements and co-arrangements of Irish traditional tunes, plus originals composed by Gibling and others with detailed eloquence, careful phrasing and colourful, wide pitches
Gibling’s choice of pieces makes for fun listening. Opening track Hop Jigs comprises three traditional Irish harp jigs she learned in Limerick, colourfully played with steady beats and singalong melodies. Second track is three Irish polkas with faster melodic lines and lower countermelody chords holding them together. Gibling’s performance of the Irish traditional slow Air: Lament for the Death of Staker Wallace wallows in her shining sad musicality and technical expertise. Gibling’s friend Karen Iny composed Waltz & Reel: Maya’s Waltz/Forty. Maya’s Waltz is Irish-flavoured yet calming with a slight classical musical feel leading to the slightly faster Forty celebratory birthday reel. Gibling’s composition, Jigs: Side by Each, consists of two jigs commissioned by her friends about the two dogs in their lives. These dogs must be happy since joyous traditional grounded dancing sounds are played with ascending and descending lines to closing high-pitched slowing strings.
Gibling’s immaculate understanding of centuries-spanning harp styles, compositions and Irish music results in music all her own!
