Equilibrium

Kerani is the artist who created the highly successful “Arctic Sunrise” CD a few years ago. Now she’s turned her musical talents toward the theme of sacred feminine energy. Each of the songs on “Equilibrium” is a musical portrait inspired by goddesses and iconic women from history.

The album begins with the title track “Equilibrium”, a gentle romantic piano melody. “Fragrant Mountain” is dedicated to Quan Yin, the Asian deity of mercy and compassion. The music describes Quan Yin’s courage to endure her father’s anger at her refusal to marry, her transformation and journey to heaven. It begins with a haunting woodwind melody accompanied by eastern strings and evolves into an orchestral elegy that blends both eastern and western musical conventions.

 “Anchoress” was inspired by medieval Christian woman who withdrew into a solitary life of prayer. It opens with a stark choral introduction reminiscent of Gregorian chant. A piano melody rises above the chorus, emphasizing solitude and dedication. “Boudicca, Heart on Fire” shifts to the Gaelic-Celtic musical idiom, with its open chords and pipes. A male chorus chants midway through the song. “Hypatia’s Universe” honors the female Neoplatonic philosopher murdered by a Christian mob in 415 AD. The music evokes a sense of the cosmos, turning planets and stars, and an awareness of greater things beyond the earth.

“O, Aeterne Deus” was inspired by an antiphon composed by Hildegarde von Bingen, a medieval mystic, abbess, composer, and author of the Middle Ages. The song begins with chanting by a female chorus, once again in style of a Gregorian chant. The chant gives way to a piano-led orchestral theme that is rejoined by the women’s chorus. “Lady’s Grace” is a sweeping, stately piece with the character of a processional (this track would be ideal for initiation ceremonies). “Avane” is a hauntingly mystical song that evokes a sorceress chanting spells in the middle of the night. The final track is “The Wyse Wytch.” This song combines flutes and piano with background orchestral accompaniment to produce an old folk-song. A woman speaks a magical chant midway through the track. The piano and flute lead the way to the end of the song.

This fine LP is highly desirable for all-women’s ceremonies and gatherings. It is perfectly appropriate as accompaniment to any kind of spell-casting, moon ceremonies, and sacred circle work. Kereni has cleverly integrated multi-cultural musical idioms into her neo-classical composing style. Where her previous LP “Arctic Sunrise” was grandly epic, this album is more focused and intimate. Well done!

~review by Elizabeth Hazel

Artist: Kerani
Kerani Music, 2015
download $9.99, CD $12.99 at CD Baby. www.kerani.nl