#isabel pine

Pine uses the whole bowed string family for Fables and uses nature as her studio, recording outdoors in intimate connection with her surroundings. Her sonic vignettes reflect this deep communion with the environment. The swaying canopies of gigantic cedars, the salty spray of the sea, the whisp of a red fox’s tail, the svelte ripples of clear blue water: Pine conjures these images and more with her music. The natural reverb lends her music a gentleness, a softness of focus that accentuates the undulating waves of arco sound.

With many years of classical training under her belt, Pine is deft with a bow. She’s also a skilled arranger, layering violin, viola, cello, and bass elements with a photographer’s eye; the depth of field expands and contracts as each piece unfurls. Nature sounds weave into the string waves, creating a poignant human-wilderness symbiosis. This is most apparent on “A Flickering Light,” which features a sheet of raindrops that introduces and then pours through Pine’s playing. It’s a beautiful piece, delicate and graceful.

Pine reflects a wide array of emotions and moods with Fables, as each song captures a different layer of the human psyche. Pieces like “Wolves” and “Winnow” evoke wonder and wistfulness. A sense of longing overcomes “Untitled / Kindled / Waxing,” and this seeps into the brief “Never Been Here Before.” Hope etches sunshine into “Wandering” and the melodic title track. Her process, her skill, and her deliberate thoughtfulness combine in demonstration of a unique artistic philosophy. She’s contemplating her place in the world and echoing its beauty with her music. Fables is a gentle statement, but its message is purposeful. It encircles swaying trees, grasps loose dirt, and dives into rippling water. One doesn’t listen to this record; one immerses themselves in its flow.