The album’s diversity is evident in the first track, “Petit Papa Noël / Ding Dong Merrily on High / The Ardgroom.” This upbeat, cheerful medley opens with the francophone Christmas song “Petit Papa Noël,” transitions into an adaptation of “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” and ends with the Irish polka “The Ardgroom” by Finbarr Dwyer. Despite the variety of songs and melodies, they blend seamlessly.
Following this is “In the Bleak Midwinter/ The Anticipation,” as the title may suggest, which has a much more melancholy sound than the previous, joyful vibe of the first track. This beautiful song is a unique take on the classic carol by Christina Rossetti and Gustav Holst, which flawlessly transitions into an original of Gibling’s “The Anticipation,” adding a unique mix of prognostication with a sprinkle of hopefulness.
Each song has significance, straying from just a Christmas album; “Charlie’s Welcome/ I Saw Three Ships” is an original piece, an exhilarating welcome of Adrianna’s niece’s arrival. The feeling of excitement and joy of seeing a loved one is iconically portrayed. Pieces like “Divinum Mysterium” and “L’Abbiamo/ Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle” are both stripped, down emotional ballads–“L’Abbiamo” serving as a tribute to Adrianna’s father. More upbeat happiness is felt within songs like “The Little Drummer Boy/ Breakin’ Up Christmas,” while something like “The Cherry Tree Carol/ The Back of Winter” portrays the intense emotions that come with nostalgia.
“The Pear Tree” is the debut album from Adrianna Ciccone, a fiddle player, and Ellen Gibling, a harpist from Halifax, NS. The album was produced by Ciccone, Gibling, and Graeme Campbell, with Campbell’s recording, mixing, and mastering done in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. “The Pear Tree” is now easily accessible on all major music streaming platforms.
Written by Melissa Cusano
FOLLOW ADRIANNA CICCONE & ELLEN GIBLING
This review was made possible by SubmitHub
