Yolanda Kondonassis - Breathe: The Relaxing Harp (2020)

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 (Debussy, Ravel, Fauré, Satie) and related sounds. It might have been nice to include a work by the virtuoso harp composer Carlos Salzedo, whose music Kondonassis has played well in the past, but the even keel of the album as it stands is attractive. Given that even the most devoted Kondonassis fan is unlikely to have accumulated each of her releases, there should be a strong market for this one -- not only among her fans, but among general buyers looking for a relaxing nightcap to a day of music. ~ James Manheim