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Our Review

Nice. When you first imagine an album of holiday music played on flute (Jeffery Zook) and harp (Kerstin Allvin), you might have several initial concerns: Will the flute be shrill? Will the music be boring elevator music? Throw out those concerns--"Comfort and Joy" is a wonderfully constructed album demonstrating exciting musicality and top-notch professionalism (in fact, Zook plays for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra).

The album cover is fun, somewhat reminiscent of a 1960s look, with the gift-bearing and smartly-dressed Zook and Allvin tossing smiling glances at each other over a field of white. The 19 tracks provide a pleasing mix; about half are classical numbers, and the rest are largely ancient traditional carols ("Holly and the Ivy," "Comfort and Joy," "We Three Kings/Deck the Halls," "What Child Is This?", and "I Wonder as I Wander"). Some cuts were initially unfamiliar, but seemed like old friends as the tunes deepened in my memory. On a few numbers, the orchestration swells as Zook and Allvin are joined by some classical colleagues, who provide impressive strings (violins, viola, cello), percussion, and a supporting flute.

Both Zook and Allvin are technically astute; more than that, they bring a warm emotion to their playing, making their instruments spring to life. I have many favorites here--the opening "Holly and the Ivy" is especially strong with delightful exchanges between the harp and flute; other superb selections include the comforting and delightful title number "Comfort and Joy." Of the classical numbers, Corelli's Christmas Concerto (which covers four tracks) especially shines. The award for most creative arrangement must go to Allvin for "We Three Kings/Deck the Halls"--fantastic!

In sum, "Comfort and Joy" is a uniformly fine CD and a terrific choice for those who enjoy instrumental CDs with a classical bent.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

Jeffery Zook: flute (Muramatsu)
Kerstin Allvin: harp (Salvi Arianna)

Assisting musicians:

Sharon Sparrow, flute
David Taylor, percussion
Alice Sauro, Sonia Lee, violins
Caroline Coade, viola
Sarah Cleveland, cello

From www.highheelrecords.com:

COMFORT & JOY conjures the hope, spirit and magic of the winter season with holiday favorites such as "Holly and the Ivy," "What Child is This?" as well as music by Bizet, Berlioz, Corelli and others that evokes feelings of the winter months. Detroit musicians Kerstin Allvin and Jeff Zook arranged many of the selections and these innovative tracks are brought to life with the help of their friends in the Michigan classical and jazz music community.

Kerstin Allvin and Jeffery Zook

Comfort and Joy: A Holiday Celebration of music for Flute and Harp

Artist link

Track List