“There is rarely such a thing as a ‘perfect album’. The new Christmas album by German singer and harp virtuoso Nadia Birkenstock comes very close.”
folker.world
“A Light So Bright” is the long-awaited second Christmas album by German harpist and singer Nadia Birkenstock after “Winter Tales”.
It was recorded in the summer of 2024 in the studio of Ralf Kleemann, himself a harpist who specializes in high-quality harp recordings and can already look back on a large series of CD productions with artists from the German and international harp scene from various genres.
The album’s repertoire with 14 tracks and a total playing time of 55 minutes is a collection of songs and instrumental pieces from Ireland (“Wexford Carol”), Wales (“Gower Wassail”), France (“Il est né le divin enfant”) and Germany (“Die Nacht ist vorgedrungen”) as well as Nadia Birkenstock’s own compositions in neoclassical style (“First Snow”) and traditional style (“The Wren in the Wreath”).
Songs alternate with instrumental pieces in sophisticated arrangements for solo harp and harp duo as well as additional instruments. Guest musicians include fingerstyle guitarist Jens Kommnick, French cellist Roxane Genot and multi-instrumentalist Ralf Kleemann on flute, low whistle and percussion.
Nadia Birkenstock says of her album: “The idea for “A Light So Bright” grew very organically in a way. Some of the songs on this CD have been with me for many years. Other compositions and arrangements on the album were created in the immediate vicinity of the recording studio in the forest. For example, when a wren builds its nest in a forgotten Christmas wreath in spring (“The Wren in the Wreath”) or when I can look out of my harp studio into the forest with ivy and holly to write an arrangement (“The Holly and the Ivy.”)”
The CD in digipack format with a 12-page booklet can be ordered at www.nadiabirkenstock.com/shop and is available from November 29, 2024 as a download and streaming version on all common portals.
A Light So Bright
Main artist: Nadia Birkenstock
Release CD: 01.11.2024
Release Streaming & Download: 29.11.2024
Label: Adriana-Records, LC 101990
Musicians:
Nadia Birkenstock – harp, vocals
Jens Kommnick – guitar
Roxane Genot – violoncello
Ralf Kleemann – flute, low whistle, percussion
About Nadia Birkenstock
Nadia Birkenstock received her first piano lessons at the age of 5 and first encountered the Celtic harp at the age of 16 at a concert by the Scottish harp duo “Sileàs”. She then learned the Celtic harp, initially autodidactically, and later with classical lessons.
While studying at the Düsseldorf University of Music (majoring in instrumental pedagogy with a major in singing), she launched her first solo programs for Celtic harp and song.
Today she tours Germany and Europe solo and in various ensembles.
She has released numerous CDs. The fairy tale CD “The Enchanted Lake”, which was created in collaboration with the Irish actor Mick Fitzgerald, won the “Global Music Award”.
In 2023, she won first prize in the composition competition of the VDH (“Association of Harpists in Germany”) in the lever harp/single pedal harp solo category with her composition “L’Esprit Vif.”
Photo: Ralf Kleemann
