LAVINIA MEIJER - ARE YOU STILL SOMEWHERE?

Sony Classical

£12.60

Format: CD
Catalogue No.: 19439946062
Barcode: 0194399460627
Release Date: 01 Apr 2022
Genre: Classical

The brand-new album from Lavinia Meijer, one of the world’s most critically acclaimed harpists. Four years in the making, Are You Still Somewhere? sees Meijer combine original compositions with her long stated dream of interpreting modern composers and musicians for harp. Works by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ólafur Arnalds, and Alexandra Streliski all feature, as do collaborations with Dutch pianist Pieter de Graaf and punk legend Iggy Pop. Known for her passion in broadening the possibilities of the harp – both in terms of sound and appeal – Meijer has garnered worldwide critical acclaim for her intelligent, inventive interpretations of both orchestral repertoire and more contemporary music, playing alongside the likes of Philip Glass and Ólafur Arnalds, and performing works by Radiohead in classical venues. Exploring different genres – pop and rock, dance and folk, jazz and electronica – led her to discover new elements and new sounds in the harp; to open up possibilities. Inspired by events, large and small, around her and in her own life, Are You Still Somewhere? concerns self-reflection and inner growth, topics that have come to the fore over the last couple of years. ‘Mom & Dad’ features spoken word poetry from Iggy Pop. Melancholic and sombre, it’s a deeply emotional piece; few works here conjure such raw feelings. Are You Still Somewhere? is a record that showcases Meijer’s evolution as an artist and composer, but one that also speaks to her past. Defiantly individual, it brings the full scope of her talent as a harpist to the fore, and marks out new possibilities with her instrument; she is pushing boundaries further than ever. “I’ve played with DJs, with pop, rock artists, jazz & world music; it’s all possible with just one harp,” she says. “I want to show that it’s not just part of ancient history, but it’s contemporary & will keep developing itself. Are You Still Somewhere? is my way to prove that.”