Customer Reviews

Crystal Spirit - Original Improvisations on Glass Armonica

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This is a unique album, using a resurrected instrument of rotating crystal bowls that produces an ethereal assortment of harmonics. The musician, Yatri, has really devoted herself to this project, creating a beautiful compilation of sonic improvisation. This album is not too long, so hopefully there will be more recordings by Yatri using this unusual instrument. Some listeners, not used to such a depth of harmonic overtones, might find this type of music unsettling, although I really enjoyed it. Historically, this instrument was known for being soothing and even trance inducing, like regular quartz crystal singing bowls that are used by sound healers.

Light a candle, turn off the lights, stare into the flame, and let Yatri take you to places you have never been before. You will love this CD.

This is a great piece of work. Like Yatri, I also wonder about the outcome of this piece of work if Oscar Bookbinder would have avoided the use of electricity..... ? As it is, I listened to it for the first time late at night within the magical darkness of my living room. Before the CD finished, I found my cells vibrating in all parts of my wonderful human body :) And So It Is

this is a must have for any collection of new age, meditation, crystal or bowl music.

"The Glass Armonica is an instrument made of quartz crystal bowls rotating on a spindle and played with moist fingers. It was invented by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century and recreated for Yatri by the late Gerhard Finkenbeiner, a master glass blower in Waltham Massachusetts from Franklin's original sketches."

"She was introduced to the unique glass instrument by Eric Cadesky of Toronto's Glass Orchestra, and in 1989 acquired her first glass armonica. The instrument has different-sized glass bowls mounted on a spindle, which is now turned by an electric motor. The tones are created by placing moistened fingers on the edges of the bowls, much as one would coax a tone from a crystal goblet. Harmonic overtones are often created, giving the instrument an otherworldly ambience. In Franklin's day, the instrument became quite fashionable -- and sensational. Mozart wrote for the instrument, and Franz Mesmer used these musical glasses to help induce trances in his patients. Others declared the glass armonica unhealthy (perhaps from lead poisoning); in Germany, the instrument was banned 'for the sake of public order.' "

i would love to be there for a live concert, but nothing planned or even another cd.
beautiful sounds and tones. gentle surging.
its a real treat and a rare find.
i can't recommend this enough. one of my favorite cds.

Beautiful and unusual CD for its genre! unique and exquisitely alluring!! The Sacred Pyramid

this 'music' is among the most peaceful and calming works i've come across is a very long time. it works wonderfully at bedtime or during the day to give a seamless, calming overlay to whatever's going on between my ears or before my eyes.