Claire Bigley’s music is not what most people would associate with New Orleans when they think of music from New Orleans. There are no fiery horns, no marching bands, and no disco drama, what you’ll find is tender soft piano, and immaculate melancholy, or as Claire herself puts it: “heart-wrenching beauty.”
Embodiment is at its heart, a solo piano composition. Claire said that as soon as it was finished, she knew she wanted the piece to have a cello accompaniment, so she contacted the talented Jami Seiber, and after being turned down once as Jami was busy working on her own album, she was finally swayed when she heard the recorded piece, and this gorgeous collaboration got underway.
Embodiment is a slow, rhythmically fluid composition with a potent dose of melancholia from the New Orleans-based composer Claire Bigley. It is then accentuated by a devastated, rich cello performance from Jami Seiber. The cellos are layered and the sound is lush, despite being serene and ambient. “Embodiment” sounds delicate, warm, and heartfelt, and the minimal, curious soundscapes are inviting and compelling.
Embodiment is an inspired composition by a talented pianist. There isn’t much more to be said to describe the magic that such a simple duet can have when implemented and utilized properly. Bigley and Seiber do just that and to sublime results.