Cellist David Darling passed in 2021 leaving behind, as well as his recorded music, a body of unfinished works, or collections not recorded. In Ocean Dreaming Ocean, his deep and abiding love for the waters of the world is apparent as each of the songs, bought to life by Hans Christian, carry with them, various and beautiful elements of the ocean below and above the waterline.
Darling was considered a great collaborator, always ready to work with others to develop a dream. When Christian was asked to interpret the selection of pieces for the album, he found that to go into a quiet space, to simply be in the moment and to draw from the inspiration delivered was fundamental to the final result.
To listen to each piece is to listen to Darling through the skilful playing and creative elements of Christians’ understanding of both Darling’s musical depth and his own mastery of ‘cello.
Commencing with Epitaph, the work is solemn, and steadfast, with a gently pulsating rhythm underpinning the singular element of ‘cello, which is a beautiful tribute to David Darling. The vision created from the music is to enter the ocean, slowly descending into the still, quiet, and peaceful depth, enchanting and enchanted. A charming vocal addition draws this song to a delicate close.
The shortest piece Unforeseen Rain Ambient is a delicate drifting piece, once again sombre and yet with a delightfully mediative influence, bringing elements of floating, drifting, simply being in the moment, allowing the majesty of the ocean to permeate the senses.
Ambient and graceful, Seven Veils enters a world inhabited by the whales, dolphins, and other creatures of the deep, as they move silently through their world, gently communicating with each other, perhaps pondering the sad and illusive world in which they now find themselves.
Further into the collection is the lighter Unforeseen Rain which has evolved as a piece for the Chamber Orchestra, which adds a refreshing and interesting twist to the complexity of the score.
Ocean Dreaming Ocean concludes a dreamy, relaxing, and meditative album that encompasses so many aspects of the richness of healing and beauty to be discovered within the varied depths of the oceans of the world. That it is a natural treasure is evident; that we need to care for this treasure and majesty is understated, to be able to pay tribute to its might in such a languid and beautiful style is a lasting tribute to both David Darling and Hans Christian.
Album               Ocean Dreaming Ocean
Website              https://www.curveblue.com/store/p/oceandreamingocean/cd
Distributor                       Curve Blue
Artists               Hans Christian: David Darling (posthumous)
Review By                Janet Mawdesley
