Stephan Micus, To the Rising Moon Review

Echoes of the Eternal: Stephan Micus and the Alchemy of Sound

by Ferell Aubre

For nearly five decades, Stephan Micus has charted a bold path as a world music alchemist, uniting diverse instruments to craft sonic rituals that defy categorization. His 26th solo album, To the Rising Moon, is a poignant reminder of his gift for transforming resonating tones into cohesive spiritual landscapes. Where Thunder roared with elemental force, this album whispers and sings, reverberating with the quiet resilience of the human spirit.

Micus’ fascination with the Colombian tiple’s luminous timbre becomes the album’s thematic cornerstone. On “To the Rising Sun,” the intricate interplay of two tiples establishes an enchanting resonance that shimmers like ripples across a pond. The metallic string courses evoke a radiance that feels distinctly ceremonial—a reverent greeting to the dawn.

This bright energy is juxtaposed by “The Veil,” where the Uigur sattar’s featherlight bowing creates an airy, spectral presence. Its singular playing string, supported by resonant sympathetic strings, lends an almost prayerful fragility. Micus’ use of negative space here is masterful; the silences between notes breathe life into the melody, making it feel like a whispered blessing.

“Unexpected Joy” returns to the warm strum of the tiple, with a more playful, improvisatory spirit. The phrasing is loose and flowing, reminiscent of a traveler pausing to delight in a simple yet profound discovery. In contrast, “Embracing Mysteries” takes on a deeper, more somber tone as the dilruba’s low, sonorous hum intertwines with the sapeh of Borneo. Typically a plucked instrument, the sapeh here is bowed, thanks to Micus’ inventive bridge modification. The resulting texture is richly layered, conjuring the sensation of navigating through shadowed, sacred forests.

Another highlight is “The Flame,” where Micus revisits the contemporary tableharps he last employed in 1978. Their crystalline chimes blend seamlessly with the sattar’s metallic strings, creating a soundscape that evokes candlelit chapels and quiet prayers. The harmonic overtones reverberate, suggesting both a personal meditation and a communal sacred space.

The title track, “To the Rising Moon,” is a fitting finale, merging the album’s two primary textures—plucked and bowed strings—into a unified crescendo. The composition feels like a benediction, addressing the moon as a steady witness to human joys and sorrows. Micus’ wordless vocals rise gently, adding a human presence to this celestial tribute.

To the Rising Moon is an auditory pilgrimage, where the theme of each selection functions as a waypoint in a larger spiritual journey. Micus’ ability to imbue ancient instruments with new meaning reaffirms his role as a custodian of global musical heritage and a visionary explorer of sound. This album invites listeners to pause, reflect, and find solace in its luminous serenity.