Bardo means an in-between state. Between sleep and wakefulness, in not knowing, in questioning, between light and dark, between loud and quiet, between familiar and unusual. Piano and vocals become means of expression in a search for something in between. Bardo begins with a lot of "space" (first light, lift), songs somewhere between Prokofiev, jazz, and pop (le motif cinque), and then condenses into "the astounding eyes of julia," a piece full of expansiveness about the intense moment of eye contact, about the feeling of falling out of time. "Descending into a waterfight," a cheeky, childlike piece, is reminiscent of a prank, with a winding, polyphonic improvisation emerging in the middle. Time and again, it's about experiencing the in-between space. Space is left, notes chime into one another, combining to form new harmonies. "Circles" begins with minimalist sound structures reminiscent of Arvo Pärt; as if someone had forgotten themselves and the world while sitting at the piano, only to then continue with a simple song. The voice is used twice in the last two pieces, with "Lullaby" marking the conclusion of our journey. Tender, unusual sounds set the mood for sleep. Somewhere between dreaming and waking, the birds continue to sing until you no longer know where you are.
01 First Light
02 Counterpoint
03 Elevator
04 Lydia and Her Cranebirds
05 the five-pattern motif
06 Hannah
07 The Astounding Eyes Of Julia
08 dots
09 Liminal Space
10 Distinctive Openness
11 Descending Into a Waterfight
12 Circles
13 Lullaby
