The title track of Allume is by the harpist herself. Carrol McLaughlin (1952–2018) grew up in Alberta and was playing professionally as a teenager. She ran the harp department at the University of Arizona for over thirty years and founded HarpFusion, a touring harp ensemble.
Allume is French for “lit,” as in a candle. One review says the piece was inspired by monastic illuminations. You can hear it: the harp is gold leaf, the flute the lettering. Neither is flashy, and both are lovely.
The harp and woody flute pairing is my favorite discovery this fall.