Doriene Marselje: Interference

Harpist Doriene Marselje’s fascinating new album Interference explores the array of sonic worlds the harp can produce and seeks to challenge our perception of the instrument. Along with exploring compositions by Kaija Saariaho and Toshio Hosokawa, Marselje also commissioned two pieces by Valerio Sannicandro (who works with extended techniques) and Tony Roe, who uses electronics to push the harp’s timbral palette, respectively. The results are prismatic. Sannicandro’s piece “Cortex” illuminates the percussive ability of the harp with exaggerated, buzzing string coils, dramatic slaps and pops, and knocking against the frame. One of my favorite performances on the record is the first movement of the title track, which is a four-part suite by Tony Roe. With disparate octaves resonating at once and the purposeful distortion effect on many of the lowest notes, it’s a wholly unique listening experience (as is the incredible final movement, “Duologue”). The quality in recording is also a treat, and allows the listener to completely immerse oneself into Marselje’s work while simultaneously bringing across the human element of the performance. You can hear fingers hit strings and breaths being taken, which enlivens the recording while also keeping it grounded amid the swirl of fantastic sounds.