Original compositions of musical prayers and visionary improvisations, performed by Ruth Cunningham, singer, flutist, sound healer and former member of the acclaimed vocal quartet, Anonymous 4 and Diana Stork, harpist, composer and Director of the award-winning Festival of Harps (sm) and the Bay Area Youth Harp Ensemble.
FROM THE MUSICIANS “It was really a very beautiful experience making this CD, Sacred Light. We found this beautiful space in St. Stephen’s Church in Belvedere, CA and we just filled it with music.The album turned out to be almost half improvisation, just inspired by the space and by our working together and offering prayers.” “I love the work I’m doing now as a sound healer because it uses all the skills that I have worked on throughout my life: singing, flute playing, keyboard, harp as well as spiritual practices that I have engaged in for many years. While I was in Anonymous 4, I only used my voice; now I’m creating music live for individual clients and workshops, reiki circles, yoga classes and massage. When I work with people, I encourage them to use music more consciously and especially to use their own voices as a tool for transformation, healing and connection to spirit. Music, sound and vibration are amazing tools and I think in times to come, people will realize more and more what a powerful gift they are for both healing ourselves and the planet.” – Ruth Cunningham “Buddhism has enabled me to combine my music and my spiritual life. The first composition on Sacred Light, “As Long” is a Tibetan Buddhist prayer that I use on a daily basis and Great Ocean was written in honor of the Dalai Lama. Composing the music for Sacred Light and then improvising with Ruth, Cheryl and Dan during the recording session at St. Stephen’s enabled me to express my spiritual aspirations in ways I could never have imagined.”
“The harp is such an ancient instrument – it’s used in Asia, Africa, South America, Europe – yet people today are rediscovering it’s therapeutic merit. Listening to harp can help awaken you, it can unleash your creative problem solving ability, or it can help you relax and find comfort and solace. A lot of new age music blends electronic instruments with traditional acoustic ones. Sacred Light is all acoustic, just voice, harp, cello and flutes. It is music for tranquility, meditation and contemplation. The simplicity and purity of it—no synthetic or electronic enhancements – really seems to appeal to people involved in healing professions.” – Diana Stork FESTIVAL OF HARPS
Running time: 60 minutes