It is nothing short of stunning.
The Wind, the breathtaking new release by Balmorhea, marks a return to the band’s original line-up featuring founders Rob Lowe and Michael A. Muller, and debuts a collaboration with German classical music label Deutsche Grammophon, enlisting the talents of horn player Morris Kliphuis (Stargaze), cellist Clarice Jensen and singer Lisa Morgenstern. Inspired by the natural terrain near the River Llano just outside of Austin, the music reflects upon the earth’s beauty and its fragile state – as gorgeous as it is unsettling. Around the time the songwriting was finished, Lowe discovered an extraordinary 13th century compendium titled Otia imperialia, containing vivid descriptions of various miracles, one of which being the story of St. Caesarius capturing a sea breeze to bring to the land to make it fruitful again. “I felt it was a resonant metaphor for the music we created,” Lowe explains. “The wind stands here for renewal.”
Balmorhea’s album release performance is tomorrow night, Friday Dec. 17, at the Paramount Theater. Marisa Anderson and William Tyler open the show. Doors open at 7 p.m.