CD Review: Claire Ritter - The Stream of Pearls Project

CD Review: Claire Ritter - The Stream of Pearls Project


An alumni of th New England Conservatory and Queens University, pianist/composer Claire Ritter 10th CD, The Stream of Pearls Project was inspired by water. The idea originated from a painting of a piano oasis a student gave to Ritter in 2003. Ritter traveled to lakes, creeks and rivers to get inspiration, but the source of inspiration for the music also came from poetry, photography and painting.

The Stream of Pearls Project merge classical, jazz and ethnic music styles, so the unusual ensemble, which includes cello, banjo and accordion, reflects these diverse styles.

Ritter lyrical beauty and classical feel on the peaceful and relaxing solo piano "The Beauty of its Stillness overflow me like a tide" starts the project. Ritter phrasing is poetic and refined on "Bolero on th Charles". Ritter plays the exquisite melodies of this bolero with superb sensitivity over the precise percussion of Takaaki Masuko.

Ritter classically tinged approach continues on "Swiftly Winding", a duo with cellist Ashima Sripp played over a light percussion, on "Sailing Pamlico" and on the waltz "Valse of the Ponds". "Blue Ridge in Watercolors" is an appropiate tittle for this piano piece, as Ritter has the amazing abbility to paint pictures with her melodies.

The melodies flows like a stream on the piece that gives tittle to the album, "Stream of Pearls". The percussion and piano chords gives a majestic feel to "Across the Gorge" and the melodies played on the high notes of the piano on "The Brook the bird and I" are reminiscent of japanese music.

Ritter change gears playing some nice montunos on piano on the latin influeced pieces "Catfish Shuffle", "Skydune Mambo" and "Wild Ponies Run Free".

Tracks: The Beauty of its Stillness overflow me like a tide, Bolero on the Charles, Swiftly Winding, Blue Ridge in Watercolor, Stream of Pearls, Across the Gorge, The Brook the bird and I, Catfish Shuffle, Valse of the Ponds, Fortuity, Under the moonrise, Skydune Mambo, Ballade of the Flight, Wild Ponies run free, Sailing Pamlico, Mustang Calypso, Along the Banks, Island Jingle

Musicians: Claire Ritter - piano, Ashima Scripp - cello, Toni Naples, Rick Hansen - accordion, Richie Stearns - banjo, Jon Mtezger - vibes, Takaaki Masuko - drums, percussion