New challenges
No really, I DO want you to come to harp lessons. See, I even built this lovely obstacle course on my sidewalk for you….”
Somehow I thought that when the weather warmed up and this snow-blighted month came to a close, I would be done shoveling. Turns out, we’re getting rain in such abundance that I’m shoveling rain.
(And before you shake your head at my waste of time, like the man in the pickup truck that passed my house while I was engaged in the aforementioned activity thirty minutes ago, I assure you that it really does work.)
The rain is pooled in a low spot. I just help it around the corner and down the sidewalk to the street. It helps for about an hour or so – long enough for my students to get in and out of a harp lesson.
Update: when I started this post, all the rainwater was outside the house. As I speak, half of my basement is damp from snow melt that has only stopped because the temperature fell during the night. We shall see as the day progresses whether my opinion on rain vs. snow changes!
New signage
Other than dealing with water both inside and outside my home, I’ve been having a great March. I updated some of my marketing materials and am very proud of the effect:
A foam-core sign such as the one above costs around $20 from Vistaprint. I chose the cheapest shipping option and for some bizarre reason received my order only 3 days later. This is not typical of Vistaprint. Anyway, I’m happy with how it turned out.
New Music
The harp music of Rachel Bradwein
In the same post as my new signage came a package from a harpist friend and colleague of mine, Dr. Rachel Brandwein. Earlier this year I was honored to help recording three of the harp ensemble trios on Rachel’s new album, String Motifs. Learning the parts was a lovely challenge but the best part of any harp ensemble is getting to finally play it in person and hearing the three voices mesh live for the first time.
Today I listened to the completed album and was blown away. Rachel Brandwein’s compositions are beautiful; they are also incredibly exciting. Amazing rhythms and harmonies roll over you; they surge forward until you almost have to hold your breath, and then recede so you can relax. String Motifs is stimulating, atmospheric, and intensely emotional. I particularly loved track 1, “Lightning,” and track 3, “Lamentation.” And track 2, and 5, and 7 and 8 and… the whole thing.
Visit Rachel’s website: https://rachelbrandwein.com/.
Listen to and purchase the album here:
Stephanie Claussen is a professional harpist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She performs on her harp throughout Minnesota in various concerts, recitals, and collaborations with other musicians. Sign up for her e-mail newsletter to receive important announcements and notifications of upcoming performances.
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