The Gift: What happens when you Improvise on Christmas?

In 1995 I recorded a series of 15 carols from around the world on solo harp which became The Gift. But it wasn’t ’til a few years ago that I realized I could create a digital download album of it on BANDCAMP – so it’s finally available worldwide. (scroll down to see it)

In creating these arrangements, I took on the creative project of improvising fantasies on many carols I’ve known for years and also looking for traditional carols that were completely new to me. Listen and download here – or scroll down for fun facts about this album and the creation of it.

Fun Facts about this Album

• This is my best friend’s all-time favorite album of mine
• The entire album is completely improvised (so don’t ask for the written music)
• Some of these Carols were completely new to me – though some I’ve known all my life.
• This was recorded all on solo harp, no overdubs. I recorded it before I’d transitioned to the lever harp, so it’s all played on a classic concert harp – but it doesn’t all sound Classical by a long shot
• After recording this album, I reinvented some of the arrangements for full orchestra & harp –  and since then, I’ve played in Holiday Programs with ensembles from community orchestras to professional symphonies like the St. Louis Symphony.
• My original impulse was: “How much fun can I have with Holiday tunes?.” I surprised myself by how much fun I was having and, in the middle of the project, decided to challenge myself by re-harmonizing my – ’til then – least-favorite carol, “O Tannenbaum” (“Oh Christmas Tree”) The result? I completely fell in love with the tune.
• The cover design was a mandala I created one day when I decided to learn to draw mandalas. It may be one of the simplest mandalas ever created – kind of like a haiku mandala
• This album was recorded in 1995 before I had the electric “DHC” harp that has become my signature instrument, so this recording is a kind of transitional project.