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Sheila Firestone - News & Reviews

Joseph Ford Reviews ANCIENT BLUE THREADS

With the release of ANCIENT BLUE THREADS, composer Sheila Firestone has produced a remarkable collection of original and traditional prayers in musical form that collectively appeal to a broad spectrum of listeners. Stylistically these works range from unpretentious, eminently singable tunes to sophisticated art songs, and the performers include both outstanding professional singers and inspired young people. The music is finely crafted, refreshingly accessible, and colorfully diverse in mood and content.

"You Shall Love the Eternal God" (V'ahavtah") springs from a passionately feminine perspective consistent with the composer's deeply held convictions about the role of women in Judaism and society--a vision reinforced by Jackie Olenick's rapturous cover art. Hearts will melt over "Let's Build a Sukkah," in which Selah Gitlin's vibrant soprano is joined by the sweetly innocent voice of a child. "Oh God, How Will I know You?"--a moving duo for soprano and keyboard--unfolds like a richly woven tonal tapestry. "Farloren" ("Yom Hashoah") is distinguished by a plaintive intensity and artful romanticism, while "Mazel Tov" (Wedding Song), in which Gitlin is joined by Cantor David Presler, is infectiously melodious and might have come straight from a popular musical. "Adon Olam," with which the album concludes, is alluringly animated and infused with delicious ethnic color. Throughout, pianist Keith Paulson-Thorp proves to be a deft and sensitive accompanist.

All in all, there is much to recommend this CD to both Judaica enthusiasts and general audiences.
Joseph Ford, founder of The Delian Society

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