Reviews
Mitch Landy, Folk Harp Journal Fall 2004
This first offering by Berkeley resident Diana Rowan is a delicious
piece of work, both in arrangement and performance...
"Panta rhei" is a brilliantly conceived program, mixing
the familiar and (for most of us) the exotic, shifting from contemplative
to dancelike, to romantic, from solo to ensemble, from vocal to
instrumental. Upon hearing each selection, one never has the thought,
"oh, another one of these." It is, of course, excellently
mastered, and beautifully packaged...
Shawna Spiteri, Harpbeat Fall 2004
Diana celebrates the allure of the islands and the dynamic cultures
that thrive along the sea through a well-arranged selection of song
sets with intriguing names likes “The War & Peace Set”,
“The Teasing Set” and “The Holy Trinity”.
The rich textures of folk music from Ireland, Scotland, Greece,
Cyprus, Israel and Eastern Europe weave a subtle spell as Diana
draws on contemporary as well as traditional arrangements...this
CD is a treat. At times, it floats you along on a captivating Ladino
love song (like La Rosa Enflorece) then bursts forth into a wild
Greek dance like a refreshing shot of sea spray. Lilting, crystal-pure
vocals on another captivating Ladino tune – Yo m’enamori
d’un aire – melt into a Balkan hornpipe discovered by
Bartók, and finish with a lovely medieval-sounding wedding
song from Cyprus. The Celtic tunes represented here are old favorites
such as The Butterfly, Drowsy Maggie, Arran Boat Song, Glenlivet
and a less-familiar O’Carolan tune, Cremonea...The spirit
of these diverse tunes are realized further by the talents of a
host of other wonderful, local musicians including Karl Franzen
on guitar & whistles; Gari Hegedus and Paddy League on bowed
tambur, mandocello, oud, lyra, & violin; Peter Maund on percussion;
and vocalist Sonja Drakulich.
 John Westling, owner of
Sandpiper Instruments and maker of Diana's harp
The very first piece actually made me cry when I first heard
it. It was like recognizing all of the potential of the Nova, all
at once. It was exactly like the first time I strung one up and
played it. I would have to say I was completely overcome with emotion
hearing, for the first time, the true brilliance of the harp and
listening to it's soul. The rest of the CD does exactly what I've
always wanted someone to do with the Nova...touch it, feel it, start
playing it, and guide it out into the open, then turn it loose and
hang on. My intuitive connection with this harp always has suggested
that it needs to be let free, to take you on a journey, to change
on a whim, then take off again. It's amazing that you have managed
to do just that.
Lark in the Morning, CA and WA
Well conceived and executed CD that mixes together styles of
Celtic and Mediterranean music. 13 tunes incorporating many of the
most important and influential instruments of both musical styles.
Sylvia Woods, Sylvia Woods Harp Center, Glendale CA
Born in Ireland and raised in Cyprus, Diana Rowan melds these
2 traditions in a compelling CD of Irish and Mediterranean music.
Diana's harp is accompanied by traditional Irish instruments (whistle
and guitar), as well as more eastern instruments (oud, lyra, and
bowed tambur). Percussion of both traditions blend in unexpected
ways, giving the listener a new experience of their own musical
favorites. Diana's voice adds an additional texture to a few of
the songs. With the final selection, a medley of the Appalachian
spirituals Wayfaring Stranger and Sinner Man along with the Ladino
Rosa das Rosas she comes full circle, adding America, where she
now resides, to the mix. Give this CD a try. We're sure you'll become
a fan.
Lloyd Bard, Backroads Music, Marin CA
I listened to your CD this weekend, and was quite enchanted
and impressed. I will surely wish to add this to our offerings.
Thanks for a truly beautiful and moving CD.
Corey Mason
Director
worldOneradio+festival
Your CD has been playing literally for days here at home ...
Lovely and loving and lively and sumptuous and healing/soothing
....
Best wishes always ...
Tom Brosnahan
http://www.TurkeyTravelPlanner.com/
Greetings from lovely Istanbul, where I've come to light for
a few days after a 10-day peregrination by rental car through Anatolia,
from Esbelli Evi to Kalehan Hotel via Konya, Antalya, Olimpos, Kas,
Fethiye, Dalyan, Marmaris and Bodrum.
All along the way, the soothing musical waterfall of Diana Rowan's
wonderful harp music helped me to keep my composure in the madness
of the Turkish highways. Thank you SO MUCH!
Diana Stork, harpist, Berkeley CA
A beautiful debut album from Celtic harpist Diana Rowan. Lovely
and fresh arrangements of many classic Celtic pieces. A great idea
to blend Middle-Eastern and Celtic music.
A.A., Oakland CA
Your CD is just BEAUTIFUL!! I love it. Very healing for my soul!!!
Hope this is just the beginning of more CDs to come.
G.F.C., Jacksonville FL
I just wanted to tell you that I got your CD a while back,
but didn’t really get into it at that time. I just got an
IPOD and am so in love with this CD!!! I can hear the subtleties
through the headset so much more clearly now. My favorites are the
Love Set and the Holy Trinity—divine and almost ecstatic!
I have listened almost non-stop for 2 days. Thank you, thank you.
H & P, Bethel Island CA
Diana just released her new CD "Panta Rhei", we have
it and it is BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE. I highly recommend it to add
to anyone's collection of beautiful music.
E. F., Boston, MA
The CD did arrive today and I played it on my way to Orleans,
was tempted to pull off my blouse and do a belly dance while driving
but resisted temptation. Please tell her that I love her compositions
and the combination of both Celtic and Mediterranean is wonderful!
I appreciate your sharing her music with me. I have nothing like
it and it will be one of my long time favorites.
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