Ulla van Daelen Mandala - Solo Harp Hybrid Stereo SACD

Dear music friends, sound experts and harp fans,

At first I was a little surprised when Günter Pauler from Stockfi sch Records wanted to make an album with me. He's a producer who is predominantly interested in singer-songwriter music, so I wondered why he'd want to work with a (classically trained) harpist. Obviously something about my music had "grabbed" him, which flattered me and made me curious at the same time. I thought; if he's willing to do this experiment, why shouldn't I do it? Thus began the recording sessions at the famous Stockfisch Studios, where I straight away felt on top of the world.

With the aid of clever tricks, we managed to get my concert harp down the steep stairs leading to a vault, where lay a magical creative room, which, after a week of recording, was to become hard for me to leave.

Much to Günter's (and my) delight, I also came to appreciate the small Celtic harp that sat in the studio together with about hundred thousand guitars, mandolins, gambos, xylophones, crumhorns and various other instruments. Playing this "small sister of the concert harp" resulted in a tribute to Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells", for which we also shot a video.

I think it's important to emphasize that we didn't succumb to overdub techniques or other studio "tricks", and I tried to play all songs in one piece. As for the beautiful and powerful sound Günter brought out of the harp by means of his special recording techniques - I can only describe this as "magic". I owe big thanks to him and his team.

I hope that you'll enjoy these recordings of my music! Most of all, I'd be really happy if I can touch your soul with my personal musical language...

Sincerely
Ulla van Daelen