Album Notes

"Landscape of the Heart" is the long-awaited new recording by autoharp and dulcimer virtuoso Karen Mueller. Beginning with the old-time barnburner "Hangman's Reel," Karen sets the tone for an exciting venture into her musical world where tradition meets innovation, with marvelous results. Besides traditional material, expect appearances by contemporary songwriters like Sting ("Fields of Gold") and the Allman Brothers ("Little Martha"), and Karen's dulcimer rendition of the 1970s jazz fusion classic "Birdland," by Weather Report. The original title track, "Landscape of the Heart," speaks to that feeling you have when you "return to where you start." As with all of Karen's music, the tunes are finely arranged, sometimes as solo pieces and others with complementary instruments like mandolin, guitar, bass, cello and fiddle.

It should be noted that this style of autoharp playing may be a little different from what you might expect if you've only seen it strummed on the lap. This is precise melody picking, akin to a fingerstyle guitarist. There's detail and dynamics and clarity (that's actually the title of one of Karen's earlier CDs), and improvising and all that good real music stuff.

Karen was the youngest winner in the International Autoharp Championship in 1986, and she was inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame in 2006. Her dulcimer playing is likewise stunning. She is a full-time touring musician and instructor, in demand both nationwide and overseas. Check her website for more info (see link at left).

Here are some reviews:

"She's taking the Autoharp into new and exciting territory."
--Dirty Linen

"Karen Mueller's touch, timing and taste make her a true virtuoso."
--Bluegrass Unlimited

"Karen is a truly remarkable musician..."
--Dulcimer Players News

"In the hands of a few gifted people, the Autoharp can swell into the sound of a whole orchestra. Karen Mueller is one of those few."
--Minneapolis Star Tribune