"Invention & Alchemy" Reviews
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"INVENTION & ALCHEMY" REVIEWS
Deborah Henson-Conant • Grand Rapids Symphony • David Lockington, conductor
PRESS REVIEWS

"The Only Reason We Can Think of NOT to Buy This DVD: You don't have a DVD player, and you don't know anyone on the planet who has a DVD player, and you never plan to ever see a DVD, ever, ever, ever -- for the rest of your life." - Sylvia Woods Harp Center (Read the Top 15 Reasons Why You Should Have DHC's "Invention & Alchemy" DVD)


"Absolutely flattened me. I have never seen anything like this before. The influences are clear — you can hear bits of Robert Burns, Raymond Scott, Rimsky-Korsakov, here and there — but it's all Deborah and her amazing harp and her marvelously-crafted orchestrations, telling stories you had no idea you wanted to hear right up to the point where you don't ever want her to stop." - Charles "Chaz" Hill, Dustbury.com (Read full article)


"The audio is vibrant, and the visuals pop. The quirky tunes and comical tales are by the dynamic, irrepressible Henson-Conant, who does for the folk harp what Andres Segovia, Les Paul and Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar." - Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, The Grand Rapids Press (Read the full article)


"Prepare to be blown away, astounded, up-lifted and rejuvenated...has you perched on the edge of your seat from start to finish." - Heaven Phoenix, SheUnlimited Magazine (Read the full article)


"A CD/DVD project that challenges convention with its fusion of electric harp and symphony orchestra, storytelling and music, and undulating rhythms in a seeming paradox: a complementary clash of styles...Henson-Conant commands the stage with her wild, colorful hair and matching personality, embodying the spirit of the production -- or more aptly put, infusing her spirit into the music and choreography that surrounds her." - Jennifer Mann, Arlington Advocate


"Whether you love the harp, love Deborah or just love a fun time, "Invention & Alchemy" is sure to be a hit!" - Ariel Gabriel, The Harp Connection


"Henson-Conant is amazingly versatile, moving easily from the comedy of "Baroque Flamenco," "Stress Analysis," and "The Garbageman," to the sweet sentimentality of "The Nightingale" and the pulsing exoticism of "996" (based on the "1,001 Nights"), with many a quirky detour through her vivid imagination. Yet there is more to this charismatic artist than the entertaining show she puts on: she is also responsible for the lavish orchestration of each arrangement on the program, and she demonstrates a phenomenal aptitude for all musical styles, from classical and international to blues and folk." - AllMusic.com


"Features a bravura performance by Henson-Conant, who plays the harp with skill, imagination, flourish and artistic electricity." - Richard Duckett, Worcester Telegram & Gazette


"Four stars! Through her unique fantasies she spices it with witty stories, so that ["Invention & Alchemy"] turns out to be a live album in the very best sense." - Global-Mojo.com


FAN REVIEWS

"Inspiring and most impressive...the "Invention & Alchemy" of [Henson-Conant's] harping and personality are equaled by the brilliant production and recording of the DVD." - Cynthia Price-Glynn, Principal Harpist with the Boston Ballet and Director of the Harp Department at the Boston Conservatory


"What a joy to see and hear such a creative orchestral performance on film! The collaboration, talent and ingenuity is both amazing and engaging! Whether you are a concert lover, seasoned musician or an interested newcomer, this experience is great fun!" - Melody Chartier, Music Educator


"I am seldom moved to tears by a music DVD, but this one did it -- repeatedly!" - David M. Ice, Symphony Harpist (from Amazon.com reviews)


"Deborah and the G.R. Symphony are awesome! The performance was certainly Grammy Worthy! Not only was it fun to watch, it inspired my 10 year old daughter to take out her violin and practice." - Eric Wold


"[Deborah] has created a whole new level of excellence. As a composer, she is one of the most talented. As a story-teller, she is hypnotic. As a stage presence, she will entertain you in ways you only dreamed of as a child...The DVD is my most treasured of all my CDs and DVDs! This is worth much more than 5 stars." - Deva K. Kolb (from Amazon.com reviews)


"One has to experience Deborah's ability to touch the audience through her music, her words and her being...We have watched her DVD many times and it never ceases to cause us happiness and joy." - Deborah (age 52) and Rebecca (age 21) Dempesy


"This DVD is so fantastic I want to buy it for everyone I know. I was speechless! I have never seen a harp played like this before, in fact, I have very seldom seen any instrument played this well and with this much creativity and energy before...Even my six-year old son was enthralled. This is the most fantastic performance I have ever seen!" - Jo Ann Banks (from Amazon.com reviews)


"In watching the DVD, I was struck by the extreme difference in the time and preparation that lead up to the beautiful duet with DHC and Lockington ("996"). The conception of the back story that lead to Deborah's writing of the duet piece, the orchestrating of the entire piece for the symphony, the time spent refining and rehearsing, the attention given to the pauses between the notes (as shown in the DVD special feature story on this piece), the theatrical aspect of props/costuming, and the whole "gestalt" of the "996" performance...it is like seeing an Olympic athlete, who has even created a new sport to excel in! Whether soaring in the moment of the "unsafe" leap, or carefully executing a well-rehearsed movement, Deborah definitely rates a "10" on the Olympic scale." - P.F. (Swampscott, MA)


"My 11-year old daughter took one look at Deborah and we couldn't get her away from the TV set. She dived right into all the special features -- finding the "White Rabbit" clips with glee -- and now we can't stop singing along! Thank you for this wonderful DVD!" - L.N. (Florida)


"The DVD is high-quality, professional and worth every penny. The photography captures up-close-and-personal her nuances, enthusiasm, energy and tremendous talent. The lighting, colors and orchestra all blend with fabulous music to make this DVD worth buying and watching. I highly recommend it!" - P. Cosel (from Amazon.com reviews)


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