Chris Campbell’s latest release, “Orison”, is, according to the composer's liner notes, “a spatial piece within a sacred space…with planes of sound inhabiting different zones or rooms throughout the space.” The word itself means “prayer” or “plea to a deity” and, in this time when many prayers have gone out, it seems to be an aptly timed meditation. Campbell’s work has been performed in a number of venues and features a combination of post-Minimalism, wall-of-sound type rock, jazz, and modal elements that speak of spaces outside his native St. Paul, Minnesota (UFF-dah!). The Orison Ensemble features piano, strings of all voices, percussion, and more, and the gifted musicians include his wife Claire, whom he also credits with bringing the work to its final form.
Beginning with Orison: I. “Parallels, Threading Light” with an opening like a sunrise–the cello and violins providing the first glimpses of light, through Orison: III. From “Ten Thousand Streams (Forward Motion)” with the opening dry restlessness of percussion giving us the flavor of water’s movement, to the threnody of Orison: IV. “Streams to Source, Object to Origin” and throughout the entire CD, lovers of contemporary classical will find a worthy companion to join them on a walk through the local park. This is a four-seasons work that will give flavor to a hike, add pace to your Couch to 5K sprint to goal and, if you are on a driving trip this summer, interstate highways will never have sounded so good!
“Orison” is available on Innova Recordings wherever fine music is sold. PS For the hipsters, it is also available on vinyl.