#641: Toulouse Englehardt - Three Novellas for Guitar and Orchestra (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

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.              

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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

 

Toulouse Engelhardt - Mind Gardens

2014 – Lost Grove Arts  

By Phillip Smith; Dec 27, 2014

I absolutely love it when I hear an album for the first time, and the music totally captivates me.  That’s what happened upon my first listen of Toulouse Engelhardt’s fabulously composed instrumental album, Mind Gardens.  This thirteen track masterpiece is a trove of acoustic guitar forged treasures.

Engelhardt lulls the listener in with “Nierika”.  Softly played, this song brings forth a general mood of peace and tranquility.  Following right behind, is “Theme to the First Annual Bluebelly Lizard Roundup”.  This flawless performance opens up with amazing, fast licks, and came to be one of my favorite tracks.  Another favored selection is Engelhardt’s twelve string performance of Francis Poulanc’s “Sarabande”.  This song hits me with an instant familiarity and puts a big smile on my face.    

As Henry David Thoreau wrote about Walden Pond, Engelhardt expresses his affinity for nature through a piece called “Huckleberry Meadows Forever”. Inspired by Huckleberry Meadows in the Sierra Nevada, this song, beautifully played on a twelve string guitar, emits a wave of calmness.   

One of the biggest treats on Mind Gardens is a mind blowing cover of “the Wedge”, originally recorded by the King of Surf, Dick Dale.  This is a perfect song for Engelhardt to showcase his incredible guitar playing skills.  Showing his guitar no mercy, Engelhardt keeps true to the original spirit of the song, brandishing a fast and furious performance.

To hear an expert guitarist, such as Engelhardt, play is pure joy.  Mind Gardens is not just an album, it’s an aural experience.

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