Like gazing into a kaleidoscope, this double-CD album brings a treasure-trove of musical miniatures tracing the sweeping panorama and historic perspective of 10 centuries. A mirage-like journey through 1000 years - from the 11th Century until present day - introduces evanescent encounters with a dizzying array of epochs, genres and styles: from otherworldly chants half-whispered beyond ancient monastery walls, to the traditions of Indian Raga, Bulgarian folk tunes and Mongolian throat-singing, to rustic bagpipes and medieval troubadours, to the Baroque splendor of Bach, Handel and Rameau, to Mozart and Schubert, to Italian and French opera, flamenco and tango, jazz and blues, Stravinsky and Shostakovich, Piazzolla, Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner and David Bowie. This charismatic retrospective is a fascinating collection, brimming with world-premiere recordings (50 out of 51 tracks) and presenting a stunning variety of compositions - some original, some arranged by the performing artists - violinist Elmira Darvarova (first and to date still only ever, woman-concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) and hornist Howard Wall (a former long-time member of two of the world's greatest orchestras - the New York Philharmonic, and the Philadelphia Orchestra). 17 nations from 5 continents are represented, including by ten women composers (one of whom composed operas in the 17th C. and had her works performed for the likes of Galileo). The meticulous album notes cover the multi-dimensional, serendipitous and cross-pollinating nature of essential events and legacies, which endure and continue to fascinate and transport us.

The idea behind this recording by the acclaimed harpist Oliver Wass (first prize winner at the "Suoni d'Arpa" International Competition and now professor at the Royal College of Music in London) is to juxtapose music by Misha Mullov-Abbado with works by (mostly) Italian composers from four earlier centuries. The artist's ambition was to record the music he commissioned from Misha Mullov-Abbado and pair it with music for modern harp and Italian triple harp. The album is in fact performed on an Italian triple harp for the early repertoire, and on a modern pedal harp for the classical and modern repertoire. The performance also includes a chamber music section featuring Henry Roberts on flute, Luba Tunnicliffe on viola-both members, along with Wass, of the Pelléas Ensemble-and Gabriela Opacka-Boccadoro on violin. The CD also features a highly fascinating world premiere recording (and performance) of the Concerto for Harp and Orchestra by Luigi Molino, recorded live at the opening concert of the "Suoni d'Arpa" Festival in Saluzzo (Cuneo) on August 24, 2024. Oliver Wass here is accompanied by the Ensemble APM orchestra, conducted by Luca Vacchetti.