Catrin Finch is undoubtedly gifted and technically proficient on her instrument, and her appointment as royal harpist to the Prince of Wales surely indicates a rapid ascent in her budding career. Yet her reputation as one of the world's finest classical harpists is difficult to assess from this confused crossover CD, her American debut. The rare moments when she is allowed to play by herself give inklings of her abilities, particularly of her sensitive touch and subtle phrasing. However, her presentation is stifled by the heavy-handed arrangements of
Karl Jenkins (Diamond Music, Adiemus), which include as many trendy styles and gimmicks as he can steal to sound au courant. New age froth, bland fusion pop, and facile rhythm tracks are jumbled in his pretentious potpourri, and
Finch's playing is largely overwhelmed by the surrounding chaos, even though she is the featured performer. Miscalculation is not the word to convey how
Jenkins has failed
Finch, though self-promotion and crass manipulation are terms that adequately describe his modus operandi and suggest why this disc is a meretricious product. Discerning harp fans willing to give
Finch a chance to reveal herself may have to wait for her to part company with her arranger before her talents can be fairly judged.