KATHLEEN RYAN: A Handfull Of Quietness

Kathleen Ryan

A Handfull Of Quietness

© 1993 Kathleen Ryan (634479560521)

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Classical new age solo acoustic piano music, with depth, power, and soul.

tracks

1 All the Pretty Little Horses
2 East at Sunset
3 40 Days of Desert
4 What the Stars Saw on the Prairie
5 Something Water, Something Light
6 That Single Star
7 Shule Agra
8 Hymn for Peace
9 Forest Green
10 Wayfaring Stranger
11 Veni Creator Spiritus
12 First Only Whisper
13 Bells, the Veil, and Victory
14 Simple Love
15 A Handfull of Quietness

notes

What can you expect from a handfull of quietness?

•A powerful and introspective journey of transformation inspired by a passage from Ecclesiastes:

better a hand filled with quietness
than two hands filled with toil and a striving after wind

•Fifteen beautiful piano solos, including arrangements of A Gift to Be Simple, the Irish folk song Shule Agra, and the Gregorian chant Veni Creator Spiritus.

•Not always quiet music, but music achieving quietness of the soul.

•Created as one unified work and performed in silence.

Pianist Kathleen Ryan offers truly spiritual music—music to nourish your spirit, again and again. Music as rich and complex as life, passionate and alive, expressing a full range of emotion and serving as a mirror of the rich inner life.

“Ryan paints in the impressionism of silence, with notes resonating over the vast plains of the soul.” —Echoes


What can you expect from a classical musician whose first favorite sound was marbles rolling in the grooves of an aluminum dishpan?

•Bright, sassy, alluring music
•Spacious, exuberant, crystalline music
•A tornado of notes, thunder and lightning, and inside the eye of that musical storm, reflection and thoughtful silence
•Intensity, passion and playfulness that comes through loud and clear
•Music that adds sanity to this world

reviews

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  • A Handful of Good Music!
    author: Kathy Parsons

    From the title, I expected “A Handfull of Quietness” to be very calm, simple, and serene, so I was surprised to discover that the music is complex, full, and often quite bold. A classically-trained pianist/composer, Kathleen Ryan brings her rich background to her music, presenting us with a collection of nine original piano solos and six that are based on traditional melodies in the public domain. Inspired by a verse in Ecclesiastes, the album was created as a unified work and performed in silence. Ryan calls it “not always quiet music, but music achieving quietness of the soul.” The CD begins gently with “All the Pretty Horses,” based on a traditional folk melody. Meditative and reflective, it’s a very calming piece. “East At Sunset” continues the peaceful mood simply but very colorfully. “40 Days of Desert” is darker, more somber, and has a mysterious cast to it. “What the Stars Saw On the Prairie” is serenity set to music. It is easy to visualize a gentle breeze blowing through the long grasses - a simple pleasure with no rush or pressure anywhere. Love it! “Something Water, Something Light” picks up the tempo and dynamics, creating a swirling dance of motion and light. “Hymn For Peace” goes inward and conveys a simple but passionate plea. “Veni Creator Spiritus” is from a traditional melody that Ryan imbues with quiet spirituality and a classical style. Open and simple at the beginning, the piece builds to a peak with each variation and quiets to a whisper by the end. “First Only Whisper” is my favorite track. Built around several themes, the piece has a feeling of deep introspection and quiet passion. At almost 8 1/2 minutes, “Bells, The Veil, and Victory” is by far the longest piece on the album. A recurring theme evolves as the piece develops, going from subdued to very big, bold, and triumphant. “Simple Love” is based on a traditional melody, and conveys a sweet but very powerful emotional message - another beauty! The title track closes the CD as it began, quiet and tranquil. “A Handfull of Quietness” is a fascinating musical journey, reflecting a wide range of moods and emotions. The music has a complexity that will open up with each listen, letting you find something new each time.

  • The music is not always quiet, but it helps me tap into my own quietness.
    author: Nancy Kraft

    Thank you for this CD. When I play it I can picture myself sitting on the piano bench beside Kathleen and listening to her play for me alone. Her music both soothes and stirs me and it helps me transcend the here and now.

  • author: Durrall & Barbara Carroll

    The music is simply enchanting. A Handfull of Quiet is but a whisper to the ear and the heart...what a delicate touch. Thank you for sharing the part of yourself that lies beneath the talent and beyond what's interpreted somewhere in the area of...Yes, I see... What a blessing to have a glimpse into the tranquily of your being.

  • author: Susan

    This cd is really pleasant and soothing. I listen to it while I paint or as I'm going to sleep. Very, very pretty

  • Airy, delicate, masterful, and breathtakingly beautiful...
    author: Thom Brex

    This is the perfect CD for those quiet nights in front of the fireplace with a glass of a great red wine and some wonderful conversation. Kathleen's use of air and space is as important as the notes she chooses. This is really a masterpiece. I LOVE this CD--BUY IT TODAY. Drop what you are doing and order it--your life deserves this beauty!

  • Handfull of quietness fills the heart and the hand!
    author: Brian Satterlee

    Although I am not originally a concert piano fan, this CD is presented in a style both pleasing and not at all stuffy. A journey of sorts with tracts such as "East at Sunset" (my favorite) paints images on the mind not easily shed. Rarely do you hear traditional melodies ("Veni Creator Spiritus") with such clarity, soul, and life. With works of art such as "First Only Whisper," Ryan's style is clear and yet still lends mysterious quality. Handfull off quietness is a journey of remembrance . There is something to be gained here. Quietness never sounded so good.

  • memories of the soul searching for a handfull of silence
    author: Phyllis Turnipseed-Khare

    I remember listening in when this great music was being recorded. It is timeless and alluring to the spirit. The touch of a true composer and artist is in every track. Great music.

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