We carry in us all the music that we
have not heard in our lives, which sleeps in depths of memory.
All the music we
carry within is a matter of memories.
Emil Cioran
He is one of those musicians who
can speak to our subconscious and perfectly grabs the hearts of his listeners.
He has fascinating harmony and spontaneity in his soul that lets the audience
be charmed.
David
Helfand - a versatile virtuoso, composer, multi-instrumentalist and
pedagogue. He is endowed with excellent musical imagination, huge empathy and
openness. He plays harp, mandocello, guitar, mellotron, percussion instruments
and keybord. He is open to diverse experiments and musical cultures. It
enriches his musical world with new challenges. His compositions are perfect
improvisations and his works are deeply permeated with Celtic and Eastern
culture.
Throughout his musical career, David
has worked with many remarkable and talented musicians, recorded ten great
albums. He composed music for the multimedia presentation "Return to
Avalon, which was successfully exhibited in theaters in Newport, Florence and
Salem. He plays solo as well as with fellow musicians, mainly on the West Coast
of the United States.
For David, music is a joyful
experience. He is convinced that the
first notes begin in us from the basic rhythm, from the heartbeat, to the
soothing murmur of rain. It is easy to feel because melodies inhabit our souls
and hearts.
Inspirations
David Helfand was born in New York,
his family lived in Brooklyn, on Long Island. David’s meeting with music began
at school, in 1974-76. He played drums in the school band Ruby Nash. David also
played the guitar. In the 1970s, he had the opportunity to listen to bands that
significantly influenced his musical career. The strongest inspirations were -
Peter Gabriel from Genesis, Strawbs, Jethro Tull, Peter Hammill and Van der
Graaff Generator and many others. David was a big fan of progressive rock.
He graduated from Cortland
College in Ithaca, New York, and his education included recreational therapy.
In college, he played in the Impressionist Folk Duet. He played the Celtic
harp, mandolin and guitar. David also collaborated with the Amethyst quartet.
At that time, he was also starting to create electronic music.
David was strongly influenced by one
of the most important bands of the sixties - Scottish band The Incredible String Band with Robin Williamson and Mike Heron, charismatic leaders who
played psychedelic folk-rock. Their innovative compositions represented variety
of world music. It was true, musical breakthrough for young David. He decided
to devote himself to Celtic harp playing. This is a difficult instrument to
play but when we are dealing with talented musician, the magic of the harp can
create heavenly moods.
Harp is considered to be an
instrument of angels and muses. Haendel, Debussy and Ravel composed
masterpieces for the harp. This is a special instrument. First mention of the
Celtic harp comes from the 11th century. The most famous harp of Brian Boru, an
Irish king, is kept in Trinity College, in Dublin. In 1936, Jaffrenou - French
luthier - began making ancient-style Celtic harps. Today's harp is a diatonic
lever harp that allows tuning in half-tone. David’s Celtic Harp has 32 strings
and is made by Dusty Strings.
David collected all the albums of The
Incredible String Band and however the band broke up in 1974, it is still
everlasting inspiration for many musicians. Robin Williamson went to Los
Angeles and founded Merry Band with the harpist Sylvia Woods. She became an
important inspiration for David. In 1979, David had the opportunity to watch
Williamson's concert in America.
In 1987, David moved to Eugene,
Oregon. He could not have dreamed of a more beautiful place. Eugene is located
only 50 kilometers from the Pacific. The city is known for its well-developed
artistic activity and beautiful nature. It is called "Emerald City".
Oregon is a land of mountains . One of the most wonderful are Pacific Coast
Range and The Cascade Range, located in stunning National Park with
breathtaking Crater Lake. A new place, new friends and new inspirations. In
1995, David recorded the first album with the band Mythic Sky.
The album was well received,
so Mythic Sky had an opportunity to perform 4 concerts at the Lane ESD
Planetarium.
Robin Williamson lived in Wales at
that time and rarely visited America. But in 1999 he finally had an opportunity
to organize a concert tour on the west coast of the United States and David
invited him to Oregon. He had the opportunity to play as a support before his
mentor. He was happy and satisfied that his dreams came true.
In 1999, the Incredible
String Band was reactivated. David
decided to visit Europe in 2001. He had the opportunity to see two shows of the
reunited Incredible String Band in London. They played at the just opened Eden
project in Cornwall.
David also visited Cornwall
then, where he was invited to play in the Eden music project in 2003.
Pedagogue
David created ACCORD - musical
advisory program for young people in Eugene in 1999. It was created to help
"At Risk Youth" - kids in danger. David devoted seven years to this
project. He taught kids playing instruments, lent them guitars.
David also created his own
music and pedagogical program - "Introduction to the joy of music" in
Hilyard Community Center, in Eugene.
He has been teaching groups of students and adults affected by
Down syndrome, autism and other disabilities for years. During classes, he
discovered the authentic joy of playing in his pupils hearts. He is truly
dedicated teacher. He understands the needs of students and their passions.
David is their friend and helper. Students want to play with David, they want
to play together in a group. It's a great gift that David has. The spirit of
working together attracts everyone. Students have different skills and musical
talents, but they all want to play music.
Parents and friends prepare for the
final meeting each semester, which ends with a special thirty - minute program.
The songs are chosen by students themselves - often African, Egyptian or
Beatles tunes are played.
The instruments are
traditional but also they are specially designed. For example, the poetically
named "rain stick" - is a hollow tube filled with stones. When you
shake it, a listener can hear the sound of rain in a tropical forest.
David Helfand has great
contact with his pupils. His every student is eager to present the melody
he/she has learned. Everyone understands that the most precious thing is to
play together. This is a huge achievement of their teacher David.
Albums
David's next albums represent his subsequent life stages, new impulses and
influences.
Composer leads us through
each album’s separate story.
In his music we can find many
styles and inspirations. Celtic music, rock, eastern and meditative music and a
special new kind of music, which is most often called space music.
David performs in Oregon, in
the Northwestern States and near San Francisco. He has released ten albums
since 1995.
Most often it is a unique mix
of folk-ethnic and meditative music. He creates brilliant harmonies and
successfully uses them in recordings.
Let's go on a journey through
two decades of David's musical career, during which we will have an opportunity
to learn about the next phases of musical development of this brilliant
musician.
1. Mythic Sky – 1995
1. Going South
2. Voices of the Old Growth
3. About the Future
4. Entering the Chamber of
Sacred Stones
5. Atlantis Rising
6. Twilight
7. Seeking
8. Dance of Hope
9. Floating (final prayer)
10. Nomads
11. Cybersky
12. Tandava
Musicians: David Helfand –
celtic harp, mandocello, guitar. Dennis Pearman – bass, keyboard.
Peter Thomas - synthesizers and guitar. Joe Kimzey – drums
This
is the first album recorded by David after his move to Eugene in Oregon. He
founded band named Mythic Sky. The band composed and played electroacoustic and
space music, one of the genres of new-age music.
Mythic Sky was created by
talented instrumentalists: Dennis Pearman - bassist and keyboardist, Peter
Thomas - synthesizers and classical guitar, Joe Kimzey - drums and David, who
played Celtic harp, mandocello and guitar.
Music from that album is
searching for the power of mythical magic and the quest to learn about the
unknown. Tunes and melodies run into
space. The musicians complement each others’s visions and perfectly conduct
their own melodic parts from the atmosphere of delicate sound to depth and anxiety.
Music becomes the most important message of the heart. Music is voice of the
most sensitive expressions and imaginations, captivates us with its freshness
and instrumental verve.
Among
the songs we can find David's Suite - Seeds
of Hope - it is a six-part theme. It consists of instrumental pieces with
poetic titles. The composer, endowed with enormous musical inventiveness,
introduces us to the mood of a story about traveling in search of experiencing
the deepest feelings and a truly unearthly atmosphere. The message of the suite
is to plant the seeds of hope in people's hearts.
Suite is a unified musical
tale, the whole of a great vision. Perfectly composed and subtly played. The
moments of expression are entwined with melancholic lyricism.
Significant titles of David's
songs introduce us to the music mood.
Entering the Chamber of Sacred Stones - In the chamber of mysterious stones, holy circles of
ancient people. The mystery awakens with our steps as we move farther and
farther.
Atlantis Rising
- Each island is a mystery, each island is far away in the fog, like our dream.
But Atlantis is the one and only. It will rise on a silvery ocean, dreamlike
and disquieting. Before the island knocks on our heart, it already appears in
our mind. Atlantis, dreamed like a fairy tale, is our past or maybe the
beginning of the world.
It does not exist, but we
stretch our hands to reach it - on the horizon we can hear silent sounds.
Twilight - When twilight comes and puts on the sea a
dark blue cloak, turns into a navy blue land. Do not be afraid of the night. It
is safe if you have hope.
Seeking - Searching is the next step. The first one is unclear
as hope - sweetness of uncertainty. Then, you can search on, go ahead and even
err.
Dance of Hope - The dance of hope is a promise of fulfillment, it has pulsating rhythm
full of instrumental fun.
Remaining songs on the album
are great music improvised in the studio: About
the Future and Cybersky.
Listeners can actually feel the joy of playing and refined melodies that sound
like marvelous conversation between the musicians.
Nomads is one of David's spectacular gems. The
growing rhythm of oncoming caravan, synthesizers, percussion, guitars and
keyboards bring a listener into a hypnotic trance.
Tandava - it
is the dance of Shiva's - Indian God. Shiwa is a creator but also a destroyer
of the world. He is a source of change, but also start of violence. Dance
brings the end of the world, but it has the power to renew and rebirth it. It
is a symbol of birth and death - the circle of life.
A wide range of sounds from
energetic and loud to mysterious and oneiric, which allow you to immerse
yourself in the world of dreams. It is a great album, strongly appreciated by
the listeners.
David Burham – electric and
acoustic violin, Nick Hall – Keyboards, synthesizers.
The
first solo album is a great debut for David as a composer, arranger and
instrumentalist. On this album we find excellent compositions, played with
passion on Celtic harp, mandocello, guitar, drums, dumbek. The artist is
supported by outstanding musicians - David Burham on violin and Nick Hall on
keyboards.
Delicate
sounds of the Celtic harp create an atmosphere of peace and magic. The mosaic
of various inspirations illustrates the multitude of David's musical skills and
the melody becomes an intriguing story.The album contains eleven pieces with
lyrical titles. Guidance notes come from
David
himself, who dedicates his works to whispers of the harp, his ancestors, spirit
of bygone journeys, passion of memory.
Remember and Thru the Veil - these two
songs picture a lyrical, musical tale. Excellent piece Elven Home is dedicated to guardians of the forest’s sanctuary .
David's
message of this album can be determined as musings on moments passing in time.
When in those moments, describing obscure longing and desires, we can taste
waters of deep wells, listening to the calls from a silent grove.
The traditional song, Evening of Roses, is phenomenally
played, stellar performance. It is a Hebrew love song, often is played on
Jewish weddings. Three excellent instrumentalists created an intimate and
wistful mood.
The music performed by David
is full of temperament, as usual. Each song is instrumentally impressive and
perfect in terms of arrangement and performance. It is reflective and
meditative album.
David Burham – violin, viola d’amore, Irene Farrera and Tom Broeker – vocals
It
is a truly masterful album which opens with an atmospheric Caravan - sounds of the harp mix with the rhythm and sentimental
tale painted by the violin, so listeners travel with them into the unknown
until the Nile Dream appears, its waves whisper quietly.
The next song is very
personal. Scrolls of Compassion is a
lullaby and a prayer for parents - Ted and Florence. If you are alone in the
desert, you feel as only you can see the stars and hear the sounds of the
night. Then the sun goes up and the day begins.
A trip to Israel and
Jerusalem was very emotional and a deep life-changing experience for David. The
trip was not long but meant a lot for the artist - a special transformation.
Standing
on the edge of the Negev Desert, he imagined tribes looking for home in the
windy and unfriendly environment. Dreams and unique atmosphere of this place
have been brilliantly captured on the album. Family tales and music revived and
found the right place in David's soul.
An
internal door was opened for the artist. Israel inspired him to feel that he
lived many times, ancient traditions and centuries-old history appealed to
David’s imagination.
David also visited the
Israeli Grand Canion - Mitzpe Ramon. The edge of the cliffs above the infinite
valley below made a great impression on him. The photograph from that lovely
and mystic valley is used for the cover of the album. In this never ending
valley you can imagine the ancient tribes of wanderers looking for a home,
heading for the unknown.
Dreams - are the whispers of the Nile pictured by
the harp and mandocello.
Nomads
- a new arrangement of the song from the
first album. It is a song about searching for home, it has moving melody and distinctive,
full of emotion vocals by Irena Farrera and Tom Broeker.
Sea of Reeds
is an image of crossing the abyss, drums monotonous rhythm leads us into
musical trance. We hear marching tribes of ancient people.
Joyful Mi Chamocha - Song of the Sea is based
on a poem from the Book of Exodus. It is a song of thanksgiving, thought to be
sung by Israelis who crossed the Red Sea safely, glad that their lives were
saved, they were thanking for God’s help with singing.
The song tells a story of
tribes of Israel who stood on the edge of the sea, escaping from the Egyptians.
The only way to escape was the abyss of the sea. Then the sea parted and people
singing and dancing with joy, went across the sea. This is exactly what we
often come across in David’s compositions - a jump into the great unknown with
a trust.
Ki Eshmerah Shabbat – it is an instrumental version of the traditional, Jerusalem song.
To feel your prayer - it is longing for an impossible spiritual
touch, a beautiful lyrical melody captivates with its melancholy.
Ma Na Vu –
this is traditional Israeli dance picturing tribes dancing around the fire at
night under the stars, praising their freedom.
In David's arrangement, this
dance is faster and more fiery than the traditional version. Violin, harp and
bass harmonize to create a rich variety of melodies.
It is remarkable that David's
music evokes images that enchant with a poetic image. One simply wants to write
poems to his melodies and what is even more important - one simply daydreams.
A
unique album which sounds like an
amazing ceremony of various sounds of the world.
The music is full of
spontaneity, virtuosity and high professionalism. Musicians create an
extraordinary atmosphere.
Every part of David Helfand's
music has a special rhythm and tension and is extremely individual and rich in
unique sounds.
In 2001, David had the
opportunity to visit Stonehenge and Tintagel castle on the west coast of Cornwall,
in which, according to legends, King Arthur was born. Here, under the watchful
eye of the wizard Merlin, Arthur learned the rules of chivalry and how to rule
wisely and justly. The land of Arthurian legends captivated David.
There
was a wonderful landscape near the castle. Waves hit the cliffs, clouds
approached. With every wave strength and inspiration were coming to the artist.
Dramatism of the place was inscribed in his memory.
David
created very pictorial musical tales about Arthurian legends, magical places,
landscapes and castles. The peaceful meadow leads us across grass, sun and
silence.
Towers on the water and Dark
Heaven illustrate our pain and regret after the tragic September 2001. Perhaps
the Gentle Wind and the moving,
mournful Lament will cross the border
of suffering beyond our consciousness.
We can feel the enormous
power of the sea which hits the cliffs in music. Unspeakable energy calms our
hearts and flows into veins like hope for the better future.
The ocean is full of energy, we
can hear it in the waves that hit the cliffs. It reaches human hearts,
strengthens them and sometimes overpowers.
Rising Shores is the rhythm
of life in our hearts.
In Elven Homeof the Chapel
Halls we can listen to choirs singing in the distance.
Whispers are
murmuring voices in the fog.
Lament
pictures an island which is able to cure. We can see lights and King Arthur
drifts to the eternal island.
Spires on the Water – this song is the imagination of the old land, spires on the water,
as if everything has gone back in time.
David was fascinated by
Cornwall and after returning home he felt music that changed his mind and heart
which was beating in accordance with ocean waves. He had a feeling that he must
describe everything and all will become reality.
September 11, 2001 - towers
in New York collapsed. Months passed before David regained faith after this
tragic event. How to describe the wonder of Cornish travel and Arthurian
legends if the world fell apart? Everything became less significant confronted with
human drama.
But
the inspiration was too strong and came back again.
When the music was created,
the album had a shadow of New York tragedy. Gentle Wind is dedicated to souls
lost in the towers.
A moving transcript of a
Cornish journey shaded by drama in New York, with a metaphorical farewell to
the wounded King Arthur, departing to the island.
The album generates feelings
of emotion and overwhelming longing for those who have left, despite the
melodies of the ocean waves speaking of hope and eternal return. It is truly
excellent record, instrumentally and compositionally.
5. Whispering Trees - Celtic samples - 2006, celtic
sampler
1. From a distant time
2. Mandorian Jig
3. Whispering trees
4. Ladies of Ireland
5. March of Brian Boru
6. The pirates hornpipe
Musicians: David Helfand:
Celtic harp, mandocello, guitar, mandolin, drums, keyboards.
Chad Mars-Fife – violin
It
is short but first class album. David Helfand and violinist Chad Marks - Fife
are excellent duo which introduces us to the energy of Scottish and Irish
music. Both creative and great musicians play as if they were born in Ireland
or in Scotland. Are they geniuses or a have they real Celtic blood in their
veins?
From a distant time - Harp and violin in Celtic melodies, joyful and danceable music.
Mandorian Jig
- The bravura theme of the Irish melody with mandocello and great violins, the
music develops into an energetic jig.
Whispering Trees
– murmuring trees are everywhere where people
believe in magic, where their minds turn to nature. The harp whispers to the
violin, but the story becomes dramatic sometimes.
Ladies of Ireland and March of Brian Boru -
these are brilliant traditional pieces.
The album is David’s and
Chad’s breathtaking, instrumental performance. The violin sounds complement
melody of the harp and mandocello. Perfect and thrilling music.
6. Memories and Stardust – 2006
1. After the Flood
2. Stardust
3. Scarborough Fair
4. The Rain Song
5. Lakota's Song
6. The Winter Ghost
7. Wheel of Time
Musicians: David Helfand -
Celtic harp, mandocello, guitar,voice
Bethel Evans - Flute
Another
solo album captivates and delights with David's original compositions and his
extraordinary instrumental abilities. Only Scarborough Fair is a traditional
song, made in a spectacular style. The songs captivate with the virtuosity of
the musician, listeners will be fascinated by the harp, mandocello and guitar.
David conjures the world of reflective and rich stylistically songs. Musical
sensitivity of the composer enriches the musical narrative, and his proficiency
and precision of making the pieces make each of them an original gem. Songs
poetic titles are always important for David. They specify composer's intention
in which direction listener’s imagination will be led.
Great Song of Lakota, (Lakota - Indians from the Great Plains) made by
the excellent mandocello duet and flute (Bethel Evans).
The heart-wrenching Wheel of Time is one of David's flagship
tracks, with a characteristic melody and reflection on inevitably passing time
and disappearance of our lives altogether with time.
Because each of us
participates in this circle and no one can escape the fate.
Another exquisite,
contemplative and magnificent album.
7. First Light – 2009
1. Ode to Spring
2. Catch the Light
3. First Light
4. As the Doves Fly
5. Wheel of Time
6. Heaven's Rain
7. Over the Horizon
8. Whispering Trees
9. Spanish Castle
10. Song for my Father
Musicians: David Helfand: Celtic
harp, mandocello, guitar, keyboards, vocals
Beau
Eastlund – drums, David Linstrand – clarinet, bowed psaltery
Liam
Pilong – keyboards, piano, Chad Marks-Fife – violin, Tony Garone – vocals
Tom
Broeker - vocals
This
great album is dedicated to the late David's father, Ted.
David and his friends -
musicians formed the excellent Majestic Ensemble. Each of the musicians is
worth praising. They created a perfectly sounding orchestra, which resulted in
a unified, neat album.
Listeners will be captivated
by thrilling melodiousness of songs and harmonious arrangement of the album.
It
starts with a clean, fresh and vivid Ode
to Spring. Next song Catch the light
has a melody that evokes deep hope. Eponymous First Light is a song with a tasteful melody, giving the strength
for meditation.
Heaven's rain
imitates raindrops, it seems as the rain was falling on our faces. Spanish Castle distinguishes itself with
drama and great melody, excellent instrumentally. The album ends lyrical Song for my Father - full of dignity,
memories.
The
album emphasizes different aspects of spiritual life, nurturing the joy of the
moment and days of mourning, everything that happens to us during the journey
along the spinning wheel of time. It is a music of passion and love that allows
us to forget about death.
An extraordinary album -
compositions, arrangements, an impressive orchestra with vocals and musicians
playing the harp, violin, drums, keyboards clarinet. All this creates an
atmosphere of exceptional and very moving music.
First Light
Landscape with a dark blue sky
Sunsets and full moon
Fields of soft grass
Stars, stars dancing in human heads
Swirl with winged hands
The whole world between them
It's a small distance between hands and hearts
For sure, the entire universe is there
When the first light touches the human head
It begins to measure his life
Everything began to grow and change
Light gives feelings, pride and dignity
The human soul is happy and calm
Until darkness wins
The rivers will reach the turquoise ocean
The boats hit the shore
The first light will touch the ground
Life will draw a pattern on all human faces
Once upon millions of years
The first light will leave the earth
We will sleep on the beaches more lonely
But in sweetness, luminous eternal memories
With one ray in the heart
A glittering ray from the First Light
8. After the Rain - 2012
1. After the Rain
2. Callings of the Angels
3. Waiting by the Shores of
Tomorrow
4. Shimmering Falls
5. The Winter Ghost
6. Dance of the White Horse
Musicians: David Helfand –
Celtic Harp, Justin Lader - viola
This
is the first album recorded with an extremely talented violist Justin Lader,
with whom David performs until today.
The album is comprised of six
songs for harp and viola. Perfect compositions and arrangements bring us into
the mood of meditation and inner journey to the recesses of our sensitivity.
Each song is full of emotions
and lyrics. Musical pieces are extremely melodic and each of them could be a
special rarity for the hit. Each song has a clear theme.
After the rain
captivates with a sentimental background, it is like slow waking up after the
rain, delicate sounds of the harp imitate last drops of rain falling from the
branches of trees.
The song Calling the Angels is a duet of harp and viola, a lyrical tale that
touches with a melody that you want to remember. It was written for David's
mother.
The harp improvises the waves
and sounds of the lyrical viola overlap each other, it pictures the edge of the
night before tomorrow.
Shimmering waterfalls - the harp imitates the falling of streams of water,
turns from a silent melody into a real stream of turbulence, viola joins the
melody as well.
The winter ghost shows the perfect mix of melodies.
Dance of the white horse - a clear and beautiful melody travels through this
piece.
The combination of a warm
viola sound and a magical harp is an unforgettable sensation and artistic
experience.
9. From a Distant Time – 2014
1. From a distant time
2. Women of Ireland - trad
3. Dance of the white horse
4. Elven Home at the Chapel
Hall
5. Mandorian Jig
6. Scotland Brave - trad
7. Simba dance
Musicians: David Helfand:
Celtic harp, mandocello, octave mandolin, percussion
Two
excellent musicians - David and Justin Lader, joined forces again. This time they
played two traditional Celtic songs and David’s compositions. Arrangement of
the songs resembles David's "Celtic" album with great violinist -
Chad Marks - Fife.
Now
, brilliant violist, Justin Lader, discovers the Celtic atmosphere for us.
Expressive melodies take away our hearts, easily.
From a distant Time is an
Irish jig having rich, danceable rhythm. The album is complemented by two
traditional melodies - Women of Ireland and Scotland Brave. The last song Simba
Dance is composed for memory of David's favorite cat.
10. Through the Portal – 2016
1. Through the Portal
2. At the Beginning
3. Homage
4. Orbit
5. Dawn Ascending
6. Beyond the Borders
7. Gateways / Sanctuary's
Door
8. Endless Skies
9. Wheel of Time
10. Searching for You
Musicians: David Helfand:
Celtic harp, mellotron, guitar, mandolin, keyboards, percussion
Justin
Lader – viola, keyboards, percussion
Elizabeth
Gergel – cello, Mark Hurwit – percussion, Anthony Proveaux - bass
The
latest album by the duo David Helfand and Justin Lader is an important and
significant work. It combines a rich world of spirituality and outstanding
masterful compositions. The experience and knowledge of both musicians come
from various musical directions. This is their third album. It must be
emphasized that musicians reached their heights of musical skills on the album.
It
has been made for three years. The record is very personal and timeless, a
perfect example of space music. The idea for the album began in the moment when
David's mother began to suffer seriously. He knew he would write music for her.
And that's how it all started. The title of the album introduces us to the
atmosphere of special music. The metaphorical passage through the gate that
awaits everyone, this heavenly threshold is elusive to us. It was painful but
also deeply spiritual for David. And this is the record - transcendent,
extrasensory space invoked by music.
Through the portal – the first composition on the
album was the first piece to emerge, and came out of that feeling of an almost
desperate sense of awe and loss before loss even set it’s place before me -
said David in the interview with Michael Diamond.
Synthesizers created an
unearthly atmosphere together with the warm tones of the viola played by Justin
Lader.
At the beginning balances and waves in gentle tones of the harp with bass, viola,
percussion, keyboards.
Homage is a
tribute to Kitaro's music.
David: „Homage” was a piece I wrote years ago, inspired by my first time
seeing Kitaro and deeply inspired by the feelings I had with his music. I felt
that the majesty of the piece reflected the majesty of the deeply mysterious
universe and paid homage to the mystery and the vast unknowns of space.
Orbit is an
amazing Justin's composition for synthesizers and viola. Listeners encounter
mix of elements. A sounding viola sound, well composed with a background of
synthesizers. Perfect performance and melody that evokes great emotion.
David: Justin composed and recorded ”Orbit ” while I was in New York with my
mother as she was passing and beautifully reflected the inner emotional
landscapes of time, place and middle space from three thousand miles away.
Gateways - Sanctuary Doors is culminating track on the album, a dramatic vision
of the gate to the unknown. Alto's low tones and viola build up the mood of the
mystery.
On the anniversary of his
mother's death, David had an unusual dream. He talked to her on the phone and
she told him: ‘Hey sweetie, it was quite a trip”. In dream David was talking so
loudly to his mother that he woke up. That dream inspired Gateways - Sanctuary Doors.
This dynamic and monumental
part of the album is particularly moving. Great culmination of the wall of
sounds works on listener’s imagination.
Endless Skies
– is a mystical song, rich in contemplative music. Sky and clouds melt in front
of us.
Wheel of Time
is one of David's most beautiful compositions, enriched by the amazing alto of
Justin.
Touching Searching for you is an ode to reconnect with our loved ones. This
song was the last sound that David's mother heard. It was an indescribable
emotion for him when he learned about it.
David: As I was there during her passing, the piece faded out into the sunset
as she took her last breath, as the angels carried her through the portal. I
was humbled and deeply honored and moved that this is what she possibly heard
during her final moments.
Music from the album is incredibly
expressive and spiritual. It is also very illustrative. All songs combine
masterfully into a thematic entirety.
David's ability to melt
various musical rhythms from meditation to dramatic fragments is sensational.
In his musical world nothing is accidental. From title to the last note.
David: As an
artist is driven at times to document in some way their direct experiences in
life, many of the pieces on Through the Portal and the album as a whole is an
impressionistic reflection of my journey and the emotional landscapes I
traversed while losing a loved one in my family. (interview with M.
Diamond)
David and Justin's
cooperation is a true musical friendship. Justin accompanied David during
difficult time of saying goodbye to musician’s dying mother.
Justin: The concept album is an exploration that space is a medium separating
conscious souls from passed souls. The awe, complexity, and depth of outer
space is the perfect fit for the album. While David and I have played a lot of
music in the folk and world traditions genres, I was excited when David first
proposed the idea of a space music album. (interview with M. Diamond)
The
premiere of the album - took place in the Planetarium, in the Science Factory
in Eugene. There is probably no better place for this exquisite music. David
and Justin took us along to the world or rather a universe of dreams, but there
is no delusion there but only hope.
On
the dome appeared Hubble images, stars, galaxies and nebulae. David's dream to
play in the planetarium has been fulfilled.
This memorable work is a
representation of life and the passage of each life through the gate, as if it
were to disappear, fade away. But later we travel to a better space, onto the
orbit. Nobody will escape the wheel of time.
Music is meditation and a great
feeling of happiness. If we feel pain, this happens because music moved us so
much. David's harp and Justin's viola connect in one melody, in one tone of
life.
With their music, you can
breathe, cry and enjoy. It is visible that musicians release the most extreme
emotions with their passionate music.
When they start playing,
listeners feel like they were entwined with sounds like laser lights.
Everything vibrates within us and moves each molecule. Music renews and
rebuilds our souls.
&&
Music is a very personal
experience. Like the music of the spheres that perhaps Pythagoras once heard.
But the music of the spheres
is certainly heard by every seeker of a crystal spirituality in life. The
spirit begins to live within us when we better understand our journey.
Supported by music, spirit becomes brave and sensitive. Listening to David's
music, one feels longing for the unity, spiritual harmony and meaning of the
universe.
David Helfand's music
transfers the imagination to the land of freedom and convinces us that we all
speak one language in our souls. It is the language of love, dignity, hope,
memory and above all ...music. This is definitely our mother tongue. As long as
it becomes a source of inspiration for us, it will support us in accepting what
the Circle of Time gives us. It relieves the pain we must experience with our
passing away.
Although the Circle of Time will
never stop, matter in the universe will adopt the new forms, and time will be a
continuance that is so difficult for us to define. In the end, every our
particle will be saved, even when the Earth ceases to exist. There will be a
memory of the most beautiful music, maybe only a few sounds of the harp…
Accomplished violist. Since
2012, David has been touring with Justin Lader. They recorded three albums
together. Justin Lader graduated from the University of Oregon in the viola
class, has great musical knowledge and pedagogical preparation. He is a
lecturer at several renowned music schools, conducts workshops and string
projects. His musical interests are a wide range from classical to electronic
music. He believes that the musician gets better with practice and a huge love
for music.
He also appeared in the
CardioStart International program supporting free heart surgery in developing
countries.
David Burham
Awesome fiddler and viola
player. He studied at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Lives in Oregon,
has a private teaching studio. He studied under the direction of violinist
Sherry Kloss, who was a collaborator of the genius Jascha Heifetz. He plays
with the symphony orchestra Eugene Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players and with
opera orchestras. He is also a luthier and creator of non-standard electric
violins. He works at Springfield. He explores various musical styles, records
with many musicians.
Chad Marks-Fife
He is talented violinist who
comes from Eugene. He studied at the Oregon University and the University of
Portland. He plays with the Amadan team.
Harp
Contemporary popularity is
due to the Queen of France - Marie Antoinette of Austria, who was a talented
harpist. The instrument gained great popularity which prevailed during the end
of the French monarchy. Harp developed technically and became more interesting
for composers who rarely wrote harp songs due to the impracticality of the
instrument. Harp is a national instrument in Peru, Ireland and Paraguay.
Video:
David Helfand Celtic Harp trio – Lisa Lynne i Aryeh Frankfurter
Through the Portal Planetarium
Images - "Endless Skies"
