Book Review: “Lyre One”, by Colin Tanser
/Colin Tanser’s compositions in his book Lyre One, edited by Andrew Dyer and published by Upper Esk Music, is a rich collection of 22 varied, short pieces that can be played for festivals, healing, and inner enrichment. They are written variously for one or more lyres and other instruments, but many can be played by the solitary lyrist. Some are deceptively simple, and others take some careful practice to sound their best.
Here are a few comments on some of the pieces… I have performed the first piece, ‘Sarabande,’ for a funeral, and am preparing the ‘Advent Pastoral’ for the weeks before Christmas. For many years I have loved playing ‘Sun Child’ in the version for two lyres, and I am very much looking forward to seeing if I can develop the inspiring solo version presented in this collection.
‘Six Untitled pieces’ are deceptively simple, and the ‘Seven Modal Moods’ are a great introduction to modes and an invitation to work more with them.
Then there is ‘Breathing,’ working to accomplish the balance between breath and heart beat.
I am looking forward to working more with these compositions in the future.
Debbie Barford – Chicago, IL
Lyre One by Colin Tanser is available at LyreAssociation.org. “Twenty-one original compositions by Colin Tanser, some with variation - including ‘Sun Child’, Prelude to ‘Silent Stones’ , ‘Advent Pastoral’, and more.”
