“We’re really trying to find a whole new language,” says harpist Heidi Krutzen, “and a new way of moving our instruments forward.” New languages and propulsive forward motion abound on MAXWELL, MUHLY, & COULOIR, the second Ravello Records release from the elegant, unusual duo COULOIR. Krutzen and cellist Ariel Barnes utilize their unconventional timbral combination to maximum effect in Serere by composer James B. Maxwell. Originally composed for the Canadian company Ballet Kelowna, the piece features gossamer, glacial sonorities as well as aggressive, pounding rhythmic structures, all bound together over the course of an epic sonic journey. “The feedback on the duo is always that the soundworlds we create are limitless,” says Krutzen. “And we’re so excited by that that we just keep finding new things and exploring new depths.” Nico Muhly’s Clear Music traverses these worlds and depths with a euphoric simplicity that plays to the strengths of the performers. The piece is structured into a series of peaks where the highest voice is pitched two octaves higher than the next voice below, and Muhly employs this technique to highlight both the similarities and differences of this instrumental combination. • James B. Maxwell’s Serere is the musical component of the ballet “Double Variations,” a rumination on writing, calligraphy, and chirography. The cello and electro-acoustic elements are intended in part to represent the sound of pencil on paper. Maxwell specializes in concert music and music for contemporary dance, theatre, film, and media, and is Co-Artistic Director of Restless Productions • Nico Muhly’s Clear Music for cello, harp, and celeste is a prolonged, in-depth mediation on one measure of John Taverner’s (1490-1545) motet Mater Christi Sanctissima. Muhly has recently been commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera to compose Marnie for its 2019-2020 season, based on the 1961 Winston Graham novel later adapted on film by Alfred Hitchcock • Krutzen, recently named the principal harpist of the acclaimed Philharmonia Orchestra, is also featured on the 2014 Ravello Records release SIX DEPARTURES by Trio Verlaine • Barnes is Principal Cellist of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra • MAXWELL, MUHLY, & COULOIR is COULOIR’s second album release with Ravello Records. Their first release, WINE DARK SEA, can be sampled at www.ravellorecords.com/catalog/rr7879
