Chelsea Lane’s debut album Suspensions, released on the Better Company Records label, is available now for streaming or purchase. According to a press release, “the album draws on contemporary, minimalist-inspired works to explore the theme of ‘suspensions,’ both literal and figurative.” Suspensions pairs newly commissioned works by Ellis Ludwig-Leone and Molly Joyce with Lane’s new harp editions of existing works by contemporary composers Thomas Adès, Nico Muhly, and Chris Cerrone. The album also includes solo harp pieces by John Cage and Kate Moore.
In a press release, Lane explains that the album springs from her interest in broadening the harp’s contemporary image. “I sought out new works for this album in order to cast the harp in a new light as a modern, versatile instrument capable of myriad colors, which I hope will ultimately increase its representation in both mainstream and more experimental performance spaces,” Lane says. She also says this requires a new way of interpreting music on the harp. “I aim through releasing this album to contribute to the redefinition of ‘virtuosic’ pieces by shifting listeners’ attention to the smaller subtleties of musical phrasing and timbre.”
While primarily a solo harp album, Suspensions also features collaborations with two other musicians. Lane collaborates with pianist Ludwig-Leone (of the indie rock group San Fermin) to perform his work “Processional,” while violist Nathan Schram (of the Grammy-winning Attacca Quartet) joins Lane for the title track, Ludwig-Leone’s “Suspensions.”
The album is available now for streaming or purchase. Visit Lane’s website to read more.
