Browsing Tag

pianist

Gary Albert orchestrated an ambient neo-classic respite from discomposure in his piano score, Skies

Posted on 12 September 2023

With melodies moulded into the mellifluous form of drifting clouds and ascending motifs which explore the cosmological atmosphere above, the latest ambient score, Skies, from the composer Gary Albert, is an invitation to lose yourself in the transformative power of music, nature, and art.

The neo-classical piano score was crafted to provide respite from the tumultuous fray of our deeply unsettled world, which can all too easily disquiet the psyche; paired with the mesmerism in the official music video, Skies is a musical and visual journey equipped to mainline the antidote to discomposure.

Instead of using Skies as a testament to his multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed talent, Skies served the far more utilitarian purpose of projecting tranquillity into the soundwaves via pulsating reprises, cathartically cascading melodies, and minimalist movement for fans of ambient soundscapes. Rest assured that you will tune into the same accessibility as offered by Nils Frahm and Hani Rani when you delve into this reflectively accordant piece.

The official music video for Skies premiered on September 4th; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Wong Diane – Now Only Me: A Tenderly Triumphant Tour De Force

Posted on 13 August 2023

Wong Diane brought style to solemnity with her melodically eloquent composition, Now Only Me, taken from her 1st One Done EP.

With whispers of organ keys in the ethereal background to her minimalist piano-led score to create a luminous atmosphere for her lyrical melancholia to drift into, beguiling barely scratches the surface of this intimately raw exposition of loneliness.

Now Only Me could easily be classified as a tenderly triumphant Tour De Force from an artist who knows exactly how to lock horns with your emotional impulses with her Nils Frahm-esque piano melodies and delicate vocal lines.

As a music producer and composer, the Berklee College of Music and Hunter College graduate has contributed to a series of high-profile projects, including the Daily Podcast, Verizon Rewards and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Experience. She’s also garnered over a million Spotify streams on her most popular piece and performed at some of the most prestigious venues on the globe, but something tells us the best is yet to come from the only true emissary of soulfully diaphanous pop.

Now Only Me is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JxPrezzo – A New Home: A Scintillating Exploration of Rebirth

Posted on 7 August 2023

With a touch of the more sombre scores found on the Westworld OSTs and lashings of orchestral beguile, JxPrezzo’s latest ethereal piano composition, A New Home, is a scintillating exploration of rebirth and a reconnection to security.

Four years after finding the inspiration to orchestrate his own compositions upon hearing the piano accompaniment to Echoes of Silence by the Weeknd, the solo artist released his debut score, A Year Later, in 2019.

By exploring his emotions through his always visceral minor-key melodies, each of his elevated works carries the cinematic gravitas of a composer who has dedicated their life to the craft. If you told me he graduated with honours from Julliard or The Royal Academy of Music, I wouldn’t think twice. He doesn’t just hold a candle to Nils Frahm and Philip Glass, he’s equally as luminary and eloquent in his melodies.

A New Home was added to JxPrezzo’s discography on the 7th of July; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I saw him in the Mirror: James Harker modifies our view on Spinning Plates

Posted on 24 July 2023

One half of the fantastic duo Vast & Harker, James Harker shows us how love can turn our moods around and sings with pulsating passion on his catchy new release, Spinning Plates.

James Harker is a classically trained London, UK-based indie pianist, history teacher and alternative songwriter who has returned from a long break and shows us his evolution from indie folk.

Taken from the brand new 10-track album Limerence, James Harker is on fire with a soul-healing melody to be proud of for its magnetic appeal. This is soaring stuff and delights our senses with a family-friendly soundtrack.

Spinning Plates from the experienced UK-based indie pianist James Harker is a cloud-floating single to get enthusiastic about and might change perspectives. There is so much to sink our teeth into as we are reminded about the special sauce needed, to be truly happy in this ever-changing world.

Turn this up on Spotify.

Listen up on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Cameron Owen diaphanously covered Les Miserables’ Bring Him Home

Posted on 8 May 2023

After Cameron Owen’s cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water left us insurmountably arrested, we couldn’t wait to feel our emotions swell with the orchestral crescendos in his latest single, Bring Him Home.

The compellingly diaphanous ballad is as graceful, delicate, and powerful as an angel’s wing for the way the theatrical pop cover of the Les Miserables prayer comes to life through the minor piano keys and his unfaltering vocal lines fusing as the ultimate aural redemption story for humanity.

Just as Les Miserables conveyed the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to endure heartbreak while still keeping courage, love and passion at our core, Cameron Owen’s reworking of the number will serve a poignant reminder of our innate inner capacity for beauty.

Bring Him Home was officially released on April 21; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jazz pianist legend Marcio Garcia is at his graceful best on Nocturnal

Posted on 25 April 2023

Featuring 2x Grammy award-winning conga player Giovanni Hidalgo, Marcio Garcia is at his majestic best with an ear-calming melody to play all night as the rain flows cheekily from gutters on Nocturnal.

Marcio Garcia is a multi-talented Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-born jazz pianist, composer and educator who was classically trained at various prestigious institutions.

”Marcio has performed at the Festival de Jazz Restauración Santo Domingo, White Plains Jazz Festival, Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, Five Points Jazz Festival, Dazzle Jazz Club, Carnegie Hall, Blue Note NYC, Nublu, The Bitter End, Birdland Jazz Club and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in Lincoln Center.” ~ Marcio Garcia

Known as a prolific creative who has performed on some of the best stages, Brooklyn-based Marcio Garcia is radiant here and shall cause some blushes to project out from the deepest part of our souls. This is spellbinding stuff from a true master of his craft, who has blessed all tired hearts with something rather special. Just what the world needs more of right?

Calm all worries away on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Lebanon-born Armenian pianist Hovig Nassanian reminds us of that tragic day on April 24

Posted on 10 March 2023

Taken from his 3rd solo piano 11-track album called Tributes, Hovig Nassanian sends us into an emotional and rather intimate experience loaded with deep memories called April 24.

Hovig Nassanian is a well-respected Lebanon-born Armenian indie pianist who lives in Cyprus with his wife and young son who has also started learning the piano.

”April 24 is a solemn day for us Armenians. Every year, on this day, we commemorate the death of 1.5 million of our people during World War I – the Armenian Genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. Many of our leading intellectuals, poets and musicians were killed on April 24, 1915. I first wrote this tune around 20 years ago, as part of a musical project to honor the memory of the genocide victims. The project did not materialize, but the tune has been buzzing in my head ever since…and now finally, I recorded it as a tribute to the sacrifice and suffering of my people.” ~ Hovig Nassanian

As one of the classiest acts around no matter the genre, Hovig Nassanian displays his unparalleled skillset in the best possible way with a quite sublime rendition. Mellow in nature and quite understandably restrained, at a mournful memory which will be seeped into many generations to come.

April 24 from the experienced Armenian indie pianist Hovig Nassanian is one of those hugely memorable tributes which still scar many hearts. Performed with deep intensity and bringing us a real message that so many might have forgotten, we find a moment to close our eyes and remember those who were lost rather tragically.

Listen up on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Italian-Ghanaian pianist BeccasMelodies keeps it rather mellow on the Playground

Posted on 4 February 2023

With so much serene beauty and a tranquil state of affairs to take us all back to school days, BeccasMelodies washes all the stress away with a youthful track to remember fun times with on Playground.

BeccasMelodies aka Rebekah Obeng is an Italian-Ghanaian pianist and music producer who makes timelessly calm classics to relax even the most stressed mind.

”Her latest track “Playground” evokes a sense of nostalgia and innocence. It’s a place where people of all ages come together to play and have fun, and she wanted to capture that feeling in her music. The playground also symbolizes the idea of embracing childhood and letting go of adult responsibilities, which is a refreshing and powerful message.” ~ BeccasMelodies

Gliding rather freely and without anything flashy to get confused about, BeccasMelodies gets us away from a sleepy slumber and back into munching peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Playground from Italian-Ghanaian pianist and music producer BeccasMelodies is one of the more tranquil singles anyone is likely to release in 2023. Soaked into so much mellow vibrancy and taking us on a lo-fi dream to get engaged with, this is a rather memorable track to fuse tightly inside.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify. View more vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

World class Italian composer Stefano D’Amico takes us through the Wormhole

Posted on 17 November 2022

Skyrocketing through the atmosphere and flying so high into the night, Stefano D’Amico is rather outstanding on a song which will guide many smiles into a world of possibilities above on Wormhole.

Stefano D’Amico is a world renowned Italian film composer/pianist/orchestrator who creates neoclassical music and soundtracks which are heard all over our beautiful galaxy.

”In 2020 I put my passion for music and for environmentalism in ‘Tribute to the Earth’, my EP which
tells the beauty of our planet: rain, sunset, the moon, the green nature. Its purpose is to raise awareness on the importance of protecting this natural patrimony.” ~ Stefano D’Amico

Currently studying deeply inside composition, orchestration and film scoring, the impressive Stefano D’Amico is rather prodigiously first-rate here. He’s made a true masterpiece for the world to feel united inside, as the imagination floats into what is actually out there if we look far enough.

Wormhole from the multi-skilled Turin, Italy-born and based indie film composer Stefano D’Amico is a stunning release which deserves to be used in many blockbuster movies. Drenched in so much goodness and pure energy for our consciousness to be enriched by, we find a single to simply put on repeat.

Hear this new song on Spotify and see more on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Andreas Fevos (feat. Alex Bappo) – Metamorphosis: Live the Scintillating Sonic Fantasy

Posted on 11 November 2022

For his debut solo single, Metamorphosis, which came after touring Europe as a concert pianist, the Athens-born pianist, composer and producer, Andreas Fevos collaborated with Alex Bappo to set a strikingly narrative jazz score.

Together, they created a theatrically vibrant feat of jazz, which starts with the rapid tempo of neoclassic keys before the complexity of the time signatures consumes you within the extended release that exhibits Fevos’s love for theatre and storytelling. With interludes between the wild yet professionally tamed progressions, you just can’t help living in this constantly evolving metamorphically scintillating sonic fantasy.

With a PhD in Piano Performance and currently a PhD candidate in Composition for Visual Media at UCLA, you can rest assured that you’re in extremely deft hands through the often-times frantic expression of his ingenuity.

Metamorphosis was officially released on October 22nd; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast