Ember - Birds of Paradise (2025)
Birds of Paradise is a striking debut that bridges tradition and innovation, offering a program where the harp, violin, and cello converse as equals across time. The album opens with Renié’s remarkable early-20th-century Trio (1901), treated with both reverence and fresh energy in the hands of Ember, who render the harp not ornamental but central. It moves on to Reena Esmail’s Saans, where rhythmic breathing and cyclical motifs intertwine Western and Indian-inspired expressive lines, highlighting the trio’s intimacy and sensitivity. Finally, Angélica Negrón’s Ave del paraíso weaves field recordings, ecological themes, and shimmering textures into a sonic tableau that evokes rainforest canopies and the tensions of utopia. Throughout, Ember’s balance, clarity of tone, and ensemble chemistry allow the listener to feel the lineage of women composers while also inhabiting their vibrant present.
Genre: Contemporary chamber music
Country: US
Final Verdict: 65% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 254th / 695
Highlight: Ave del paraíso
Made me think of:
Kronos Quartet
Hélène Grimaud
The Brodsky Quartet
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