Album Review—Heaven Sent by Peter Sterling

Heavenly Moments With ‘Heaven Sent’: Peter Sterling’s Invitation to Discover the Holy Connection with the Divine

Thought schools like Transcendentalism seek to transcend the seemingly unimportant material existence to land intense spiritual experiences. In similar lines, a famous quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Heaven Sent, Peter Sterling’s 17th studio album, becomes a powerful ally of the listener in facilitating one such transcendental journey into the realms of healing, love, and divine connection.

The album takes us on a journey into a serene world of celestial soundscapes. Music from Sterling’s harp is a masterly accomplishment, ably complemented by his team’s expert orchestration and ethereal textures. Created with Sedona’s autumn beauty in the background, Heaven Sent enables the listeners to relate with their deepest emotions and discover solace, peace, and an intimate connection with the divine.

About the Artist

With his career spanning over two decades, Peter Sterling is a renowned artist in the world of New Age music. Sterling is a recipient of several recognitions while the notable ones include Hollywood Music in Media Awards and Visionary Music Awards. Sterling’s compositions are widely used across diverse types of healing settings, from hospitals to meditation centers, thanks to the truly transformative power ingrained in his music. Sterling himself once said, “Music is the bridge between the earthly and the divine; it strikes a chord in our hearts and reminds us of our inherent connection to something greater”. This line summarizes the objective of ‘Heaven Sent’.

The Birth of ‘Heaven Sent’

Heaven Sent was born during a special spiritual moment during the Thanksgiving season. The album was inspired by the overwhelming connection that Sterling felt to his angels. In fact, this is a familiar and recurring theme in many of his earlier works like Sanctuary of Light and The Winding Way. However, from my listening to the album, I feel that this work is even more personal as it channelizes gratitude, as well as a deep sense of loss. As a result, we discover a beautiful contrast between light and shadow.

1. My Soul Remembers (5:35)

The gentle notes of the opening track facilitate self-introspection. The delicate tunes of the harp accompanied by soft harmonics evoke memories of a distant past as if the soul is contemplating an existence far beyond this one. The calming presence we discover with this song is refreshing and rejuvenating.

2. The River Runs Deep (5:35)

The flowing tunes of the harp and the gentle undercurrents of flute in this song mimic the slow and winding journey of a river. I discovered a profound sense of emotional depth in this track symbolizing the subtle complexities of life.

3. Timeless Heart (7:33)

The meditative journey with this piece feels as though we have entered an expansive space where time appears to stand still. The melodies of the harp closely woven with the otherworldly piano and strings lift our consciousness to higher planes to experience the “eternal now”, which the mystical traditions talk about.

4. A Silver Lining (4:48)

The fourth track is emotionally lifting. The harp tones feel brighter, suggesting optimism and hope. Our breath feels much deeper and we discover promising and serene moments with Sterling’s music.

5. Forever My Love (4:15)

The tender notes of the fifth track converses with our heart in an intimate way. The soft notes of the harp feel like caressing our inner self to evoke a deep sense of comfort and unconditional love. The blending of the artist’s harp with the notes of the violin reminds us of our most valued relationships.

6. The Rain Will Fall (5:10)

The track opens with a delicate piano introduction followed by a profuse strain of melodies from the harp. The overall feel mimic the gently flowing rain drops. We are reminded of the cleansing power of the rain and discover quiet moments of introspection.

7. Together Forever (5:11)

In this track, the listener is able to discover the concept of eternal unity. The harmonious interplay between the notes of the harp and violin creates an atmosphere of togetherness, suggesting a divine bond. As the song progresses, we are moved to a comforting zone within layers of sound.

8. After Glow (5:20)

This is a peaceful track that seeks to create the ambience that results after discovering a profound spiritual experience. This is a joyful composition where flute and harmonica join the gentle notes of Sterling’s harp leaving the listener with a highly fulfilling experience. 

9. Days of Old (6:49)

In the penultimate track, the tunes of harmonica add a rustic charm, and the listener is enjoined to experience some powerful memories of the past. Especially, listening to this track moved me to the days of my own childhood filled with a sense of wonder and innocence.

10. The Sun Always Shines (5:31)

With the tenth song, the album closes with an optimistic note. We feel lighter and joyous as the track progresses. The bright notes of the harp paired with the flute melodies give us an uplifting experience, suggesting hope and renewal. The message we get from the track is this: No matter the challenges, the sun always finds a way to shine through.

Takeaway

Heaven Sent is an extraordinary musical work that I admired from the first through the last note. In making us discover emotional depth and spiritual resonance, Peter Sterling has demonstrated his rare ability to invest in the power of music for healing and facilitating deep contemplation. Each of these tracks makes us celebrate our connection with the divine. The peace resulting from this realization feels immensely uplifting and comforting. The entire experience with Sterling’s masterly musical journey feels like deep healing is taking place inside us, leaving us refreshed and recharged. If you seek quiet and guided moments to experience the spiritual connection with the divine, you will find your time with this album a highly rewarding experience.