Once in a Red Moon
A mature and at times moving work,Once in a Red Moonfortifies Secret Garden's stature as a marquee New Age act. The duo of Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and pianist-composer Rolf Lovland here refine their specialty of making classical/contemporary/Celtic mini-epics in small orchestral and choral settings. Moreover, each piece elicits reflection, celebration, or atonement with the divine.Red Moon's mood of melancholy is stronger than usual--"Invitation" and "Fairytale" are the disc's only propulsive tracks--though there's an undercurrent of lamentation and reverence. Highlights include the gospel-fueled,Josh Groban-like "You Raise Me Up," sung byBrian Kennedy(Riverdance) and fittingly conducted by Steven Mercurio (musical director forAndrea Bocelli). And a riveting, slow-building plea for peace, "Elegie," features the voices ofAnunaand a forceful, concluding piano chord--a composite of 66 C chords submitted by fans worldwide in response to an online invitation from the group.--Terry Wood