EDGES OF THE SOUL™

Harold Moses - Composer, Viola

Summary | Samples | Review | Composer's Notes | Contrast
Reviews/Comments

Summary:
Edges of the Soul is Harold Moses' landmark first CD. This heart stirring recording features lush and luxuriant orchestral tone poems featuring Harold Moses' passionate viola and virtual orchestra. A steady stream of letters and e-mail reveal that people all over the world find Edges of the Soul a powerful tool for assisting and supporting their spiritual journey. Released in 1995, Edges continues to receive reviews and is listed in numerous "favorite CD" compilation lists. The tone poems are comprised of the following pieces:

Sound Samples:

Featured Review:
Julie Amacher - Minnesota Public Radio Shortly after it's release, Julie Amacher, then Station Manager of KUNC radio in Greeley, CO wrote, "Edges of the Soul is one of the recordings I reach for when I want to evoke an emotional response from our listeners. During our recent membership drive listeners called in to pledge because we had introduced them to the music of Harold Moses. In my eleven year history, I have received more calls about Edges of the Soul than any single recording at KUNC."

In 1998, after becoming the Classical Music Host for Minnesota Public Radio, Julie Amacher wrote an article entitled "My Favorite CDs." An excerpt of that article appears below. "This new year, I plan to continue my pursuit for interesting, intriguing music," says Amacher, a voice you will sometimes hear filling in on MPR's Classical Music Stations. "Here are some of the treasures I've unearthed up to this point." "Music that speaks to the heart: Edges of the Soul Harold Moses (Crucible Sound - 951) This journey of the heart features the viola at the center playing melodies composed and arranged by Harold Moses who spent a number of years as principal violist with the Denver Symphony Orchestra. "The Dying," a song about change and renewal as well as death, is music for the soul. I'll even go so far as to say this is the new Barber Adagio - the ultimate compliment you can pay any composer."

 

Composer's Notes:
By Harold Moses Edges of the Soul is music that continues to move me, and mystify me. As many times as I have listened to this music, I still hear something new each time. This CD is a compilation of music I wrote for a variety of venues over a two-year period of time. The manner in which these pieces of music came together is a testimony to destiny and synchronicity. Some of these compositions were originally scored as orchestral tone poems, In those cases, the viola part written at the time Edges was being recorded.

Each composition within Edges tells a story which, I believe, relates to our spiritual journey.

"The Circle" is the portal through which the journey begins and ends. The shimmering drone represents Divine potentiality - the creative breath of God. The trio of oboe, bassoon and viola intertwine to create a musical Trinity - the energy of creation and manifestation.

"Thought Becomes" musically elucidates the axiom energy follows thought. The low bells, ringing in alternate octaves, announce the acceleration of intention into matter - thought into form. Riding waves on a vast cosmic ocean, the viola sings to the glory of Creation's vibrant unfolding!

"The Awakening" tells the story of the soul expressing itself through the human experience. This tone poem utilizes rich orchestrations to express the difficult and seemingly perilous path undertaken in the spiritual journey. The reward of our hard work is our awareness of the essential nature of Divine intent and purpose. This awakening of the human spirit to this 'Love Streaming' is summarized by the last 6 minutes of this 19-minute composition - it remains my most requested piece of music.

"Cantadora" (a name meaning the keeper of the stories) reveals the pathos of two lovers who now face the separation that will be created by death. As their hands and hearts entwine this one last time they share the memory of their many dances together. Like sand falling in an hourglass, each note of the harp draws them closer to their parting.

"The Dying" is a slow, profound waltz with death. The string basses and cellos punctuate each inevitable step as the viola sings out a passionate aria of release. Wave upon wave crash upon the shore of the heart, clearing away all that is illusion, all this is imagined, all that is clung to, all that is feared…

"Transformation" brings the journey of the soul to conclusion. Here the harp represents the shimmering, sparkling light encountered by the soul as it traverses the crystalline path toward divine unity. The viola melody, accompanied by the gentle caress of angelic strings, is guided by the oboe into the light. "Go forth - destiny's laughing lips await your kiss."
 

A Contrast:
By Harold Moses "I am frequently asked the difference between Edges of the Soul and Prayers of the Soul. I feel that Edges and Prayers respectively represent the expansion and contraction qualities of our spiritual journey. The mystery is this: as we expand outward, we find that which is within us - as we contract inward, we encounter that which is outside of us."

Reviews and Listener's Comments:

"I am so fortunate to hear some of the greatest music and healing sounds in the world, and I find what you have created is both of the heart, mind and loaded with intelligent musicianship. That is rare."
- Don Campbell, The Mozart Effect

"Edges of the Soul is music that inspires the spirit."
- Salle Merrill-Redfield - The Celestine Meditations

Applauded by noted author Clarissa Pinkola Estés, these tranquil viola and synthesizer melodies well represent the new genre of Contemporary Christian instrumental music. Though similar to New Age music in terms of calming tempos, the composer's stated intent is not stress relief but helping to prepare "our hearts for the return of The Christ." When programmed together, tracks 2, 5, 6 represent an effective trilogy which explores a human soul's journey from pre-incarnate thought through enlightenment and transformation.
- P.J. Birosik - Musik International

"Your music is for me, and many others, a shortcut to God."
- Gerald G. Jampolsky, MD. - Love is Letting Go of Fear, Forgiveness: The Greatest Healer of All

"Edges of the Soul is uplifting, heart-opening music that truly unites Earth and Heaven, creating a sense of peace, joy and communion with spirit. It is a gift and blessing."
- Joan Borysenko - Minding the Body, Mending the Mind

"Harold Moses brings to the world an exquisite and expansive music which draws the listener to the soul's true magnitude."
- Julia Cameron - The Artist's Way and The Vein of Gold

"Harold Moses is not only a musician, not only a composer. He has something more than talent, he has a great something inside. He and his enormous heart weep, strut, laugh out loud into and through his music, making us all come alive. We used to call this magic."
- Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D. - Women Who Run With the Wolves
 

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