"Postcards"

Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada, Autumn, 2002 by Mark Russom

Danielle Cumming "Postcards" Cuerdas C701.

Postcards is the initial offering from talented guitarist Danielle Cumming, who earned her Masters degree under guitar legend Norbert Kraft and honed her talents with further studies abroad. (Kraft also appears on this album as producer and engineer.)

The driving force of the album is Spain, and in particular its influence over both the artist and featured composers. Rather than presenting a collection of Spanish music, Cumming has assembled an array of pieces by contemporary composers of other nationalities, including two Canadians. Works by Violet Archer and Robert A. Baker evoke for the artist characteristics that are uniquely Canadian.

Cumming's performance on the album is stellar, with a clear and confident tone throughout, and the recording itself allows the instrument to fill the spaces with sound. Although the music is written in the contemporary era, it is accessible, although if you are expecting more traditional "Spanish-sounding" music you won't find it here. Think of Postcards not as a series of boldly detailed photographs, but as impressionist or abstract drawings, leaving something for the imagination.