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Concert Reviews:
-Mithril and Mobile Symphony - March 14, 2009
-Mithril's performance at Laidlaw 'sublime'
-Symphony presents tuneful evening with Celtic group Mithril

CD Reviews:
-The Return Home
-Winter's Day 1
-Winter's Day 2

"New CDs reveal artistry, versatility of area musicians"
Mobile Register
ArtBeat - Sunday, December 19, 2004
Arts Columnist: Thomas Harrison e-mail

Late fall early winter is a glorious time of frosty overnight temperatures, wind-chills and the requisite whining of parka-clad locals who complain when the mercury dips below 80. The air is crisp, the sunsets magnificent, and the energy level on high.

Perfection would be a steady, two-day snowfall to blanket the dreary Gulf Coast and transform the landscape of swamps and dank woods into a sparkling wonderland. A time to relax and enjoy music that enhances the seasonal mood.

For the past two weeks I have been listening to a pair of extraordinary CDs, "Winter's Day" by the Celtic group Mithril, and "To Drive the Cold Winter Away" by Silverwood Quartet (Flying Frog Music, $15 each). Produced by violinist Tom Morley and flutist Andra Bohnet -- founding members of both groups -- the two releases are strikingly different.

The common link is the artistry, the high level of musicianship and impressive range of musical interest. Concert audiences know Morley and Bohnet as members of Mobile Symphony Orchestra, but their influence extends well beyond the MSO.

Along with their Mithril colleagues Ben Harper and David Hughes, they took the spotlight Saturday for "A Celtic Christmas." As half of Silverwood Quartet, one of the region's most respected chamber ensembles, Morley and Bohnet will join violist Jonathan Clark and cellist Barbara Gabriel for the April finale to Mobile Symphony's chamber series.

As a matter of enlightened self-interest, ArtBeat doesn't do reviews or endorsements but I am compelled to report noteworthy achievements -- and these CDs constitute a double triumph.

Last week Arts & Leisure discussed the Mithril concert, but I want to mention a couple of highlights from the group's eclectic new CD. "Winter's Day," the logical follow-up to the group's 2002 recording "Banish Misfortune," is a marvelous 55 minutes of reels, jigs and airs, plus a surprise or two.

Séamus McGuire's "The Wishing Tree" gets an especially sensitive interpretation thanks to Bohnet's exquisite harp and flute, and Morley's soulful violin. Silverwood cellist Barb Gabriel plays beautifully in a "guest" appearance. A decidedly different (but excellent) version of "Wishing Tree" is the second cut on the Silverwood CD.

A real eye-opener is "Khanike Freylekhs," a Hanukkah tune by Adrianne Greenbaum, described as "a Klezmer flutist extraordinaire," who had a freylekhs (dance tune) partially composed. At Bohnet's request, she finished the piece and submitted it.

In addition to "The Wishing Tree," Silverwood's "To Drive the Cold Winter Away" includes a work commissioned from Ohio composer Brian Joyce, whose touch was evident the group's first Christmas CD, "Gifts of the Season."

"Hear Ye Newes" is a six-movement suite that liner notes describe as "a unique and charming setting of both traditional Christmas tunes and original material." The piece, which had its premiere recently at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, features the quartet performing on a variety of percussion instruments.

Bohnet, a professor of music at the University of South Alabama, collected, researched and arranged most of the music from disparate styles and sources and the result, according to her notes, "reflects an older, earthier and simpler view of Christmas, winter, and the holiday season."

Repertoire comes from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Celtic sources and features two of the most well-known classical works associated with the holidays, Corelli's "Christmas Concerto" and "Winter" from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons."

A personal highlight is the ensemble's performance of Loreena McKennitt's "The Mummer's Dance," a piece that actually got some airplay locally a few seasons ago. Bohnet and Morley play seamlessly, whether with Clark and Gabriel or with the Mithril tandem of Harper and Hughes. In both cases, the results are thrilling.

The new releases are available via the Web site (www.flyingfrogmusic.com ), through Mobile Symphony, Bay Sound in Daphne, and area retailers.

Morley and Bohnet attended to every salient detail, including the choice of artwork for their CDs. Babs Damesimo created the Silverwood cover; Patti Miller did the artwork for "Winter's Day," on which Mithril appears with a Celtic cross created by Stephanie Burks-Rochford. All are local artists.

It is the nature of most people to assume that imported is better -- that local talent, like domestic wine, cannot possibly measure up. Two new releases by Mithril and Silverwood prove otherwise. This is music to be savored, whatever the season.

Thomas B. Harrison may be reached at (251) 219-5677 or toll-free (800) 239-1340, Ext. 5677. Fax (251) 219-5799, or e-mail: tharrison@mobileregister.com

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