Browsing Tag

Classical Pianist

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

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

An-Ting 安婷 keyed into the plaintive slips of optimism in our first pandemic summer in her classical composition, LAST JUNE

Taiwan-born, London-based pianist-composer, An-Ting 安婷 is set to release her first original LP, Songs from My Room, a compositional narration of the complex emotions that manifested during the pandemic times, featuring the standout single, LAST JUNE.

Not another lockdown release, I hear you cry – but this instrumental score operates far beyond the power of the written word by keying into those striking plaintive slips of optimism as the powerlessness in the situation conflates the ennui. LAST JUNE also takes the mixed feelings that transpired from the BlackLivesMatter movement with an overarching sense of uncertainty that amassed around the state of our polarised society.

An-Ting has performed as a concert pianist at Southbank Centre, LSO St Luke’s, King’s Place, Newbury Spring Festival, Deal Festival, Cheltenham Town Hall, and the Akademie der Künste Berlin (Academy of Arts). She also has a broad background which includes a unique mix of science and art with a degree in Chemistry from National Taiwan University and an MMus and PhD in performance from the Royal Academy of Music.

Songs from My Room will be available to stream on all platforms from July 13th, 2022. Last June will be due for release on June 15th. Check out the video via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

World class London-based classical pianist Monica Frank drops the incredible ‘The Stargazer Collection: A Bowie Tribute’

Bringing us a wonderfully fitting nine-track album that the late-great legend himself would surely love with all his heart, Monica Frank is absolutely outstanding on ‘The Stargazer Collection: A Bowie Tribute‘.

Monica Frank is a USA-born, London, UK-based indie classical pianist. Mentored by Mike Garson, David Bowie’s pianist for many years, she is a graduate of New York City’s Manhattan School of Music.

Monica’s arrangements combine Bowie’s original material with her classical sensibilities to create a unique concept for each piece that further affirms the genre-spanning scope of his music. The three Mike Garson tracks are from his collection of 24 Nowtudes, beautiful contemporary piano miniatures.” ~ Monica Frank

With a sizzling performance that is of gold medal standard, she stuns our souls into action with a marvelous interpretation of all the tracks presented and sends us into a trance that is so beautiful to be wrapped inside. Her skills on the piano seem rather effortless at times on such an extremely difficult instrument, and seems to float majestically through this brilliantly projected nine track arrangement.

Monica has created some astounding piano versions of some of David’s greatest songs. She also performs them very well. I’m sure if David was with us he would have liked them a lot.” ~ Mike Garson, legendary American pianist

The Stargazer Collection: A Bowie Tribute‘ from the excellent London-based classical pianist Monica Frank, is a true modern day masterpiece from a highly skilled artist. Her creativity only seems to get better and better on each single – and she displays such love and care here – to bring the world a tribute to one of the all-time great musicians, who is sadly not with us anymore. Monica performs with a real elegance that is so rare these days and fills up our hungry hearts, with a quite excellent display of extreme quality.

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

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Time To Reflect: Verona composer Stefano Freddi shares emotional stories on piano-filled new single ‘Five Notes Symphony the Murderer’s Tale’

The first of four singles to be released by Verona-based Classical Pianist Stefano Freddi, ‘Five Notes Symphony the Murderer’s Tale‘ is a stunning listen that will enthrall you and help calm the mind from the current choppy waters, that are splashing ferociously all over our tired hearts at the moment.

Stefano Freddi is an incredibly talented Italian composer, who has been filling his intrinsic need for meaningful creation since he was just six years old. He delights us all with stunning instrumental wonderland that shows us his appreciation for many genres and soundscapes from all over the globe, as he always looks to push himself and learn beyond what is thought possible.

As part of an exciting four-track EP, this new single is all about taking inspiration from The Canterbury Tales, as the idea here is to share a message, warning or a moral. The need for reflection in these unprecedented times is of the utmost importance, so we may regain calm and make the correct decisions going forward.

You feel all his passion here and he sets the stage for this wonderfully crafted track that wipes away the pain of the world, but has you feeling a bit introspective from all that is currently happening around us.

‘Five Notes Symphony the Murderer’s Tale’ from Classical Pianist Stefano Freddi, is a journey through so many emotions as you feel the sense of pride in his work, and drift away peacefully into a new mental place that has you thinking more relaxed thoughts than before. This is a marvelous piece of work that will seep into your veins and have you in a different mindset.

Stream this new single on Spotify, YouTube and see more on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen