2023 – Five and Dime
Universe
By Phillip Smith; Oct. 28, 2023
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
Toulouse Engelhardt, the last of the Tacoma Seven fingerstyle guitarists which also included notable artists John Fahey, Peter Lang, and Leo Kottke, has an amazing new release called Three Novellas for Guitar & Orchestra. Three years in the making, the album pairs Engelhardt with Los Angeles Recording Choir & Orchestra to take listeners on an instrumental journey into the various realms of interdimensional reality. The record was produced, directed, and conducted by Christopher M. Allport with Engelhardt as composer, associate producer, and guitarist. I love the poetic corresponding verse for each novella, written by Lindsey Engelhardt and included in the accompanying booklet. It solidifies the identity of each piece.
With a gentle awakening, the first Novella, Elegy for Oceanides (a Mermaid Suite) begins to wash up upon the “Shores of Enceladus”. Accompanied with a beautiful backing of strings, Engelhardt’s finesse and guitar prowess grace the listener. The angelic vocals of Monique Donelly announce the divine sea-goddess “Oceanides”. Engelhardt charms me with Novella No. 2 Plains of San Agustin in which the crash-landing of space explorers from a faraway universe leaves one single survivor. The way he beautifully spins this unspoken tale is dramatic and magical. Oftentimes, the world’s go-to system for division is a binary one. Novella No. 3 Triangulum Sonatia is a reminder that the world is not as we would label it. With this third and final novella, Englehardt ushers us through three pieces to wonderfully showcase mathematics in its harmonious form, the triad : “Adagio tranquillo”, “Andante animato”, and “Moderato con spirito”.
Three Novellas for Guitar and Orchestra is enlightening. This one-of-a-kind recording by Toulouse Englehardt is simply put, extraordinary.
Track
Listing:
Elegy for Oceanides -
Mvt. I Shores of Enceladus
Elegy for Oceanides -
Mvt. II Oceanides
Elegy for Oceanides -
Mvt. III Siren's Call
Elegy for Oceanides -
Mvt. IV Mermaids' Grotto
Elegy for Oceanides -
Mvt. V Oceanides' Tears
Elegy for Oceanides -
Mvt. VI Epitaph
Elegy for Oceanides -
Mvt. VII Processional Under The Sea
Elegy for Oceanides -
Mvt. VIII Farewell Oceanides
Plains of San Agustin
Triangulum Sonatina -
Mvt. I Adagio tranquillo
Triangulum Sonatina -
Mvt. II Andante animato
Triangulum Sonatina -
Mvt. III Moderato con spirito
