Showing posts with label New Instrumental Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Instrumental Reviews. Show all posts

New Age Instrumental Review: Bernward Koch-Becoming

Release Date: May 15, 2020
Label: Myndstream
Website

Bernward Koch is a German multi-instrumentalist and Becoming is his fourteenth proper recording.

On Bernward’s website, he says "Music gives wings to a brighter life“ That statement is so true especially with what the year 2020 has brought the world. With all the pain and suffering on this planet, we are desperately in need of more artists like Bernward to keep making music that heals.

I also found something else noteworthy on his website that touched my soul. The US organization "Massachusetts Fallen Soldiers" uses his music to heal suicide-prone soldiers who have come back from crisis areas in different places in the world and often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I am from Massachusetts; I am a vet, and my father served in WWII so this means so much to me. Thank you Bernward.

This music is graceful, filled with beauty, and ultimately a wonderful tool for relaxing, meditation, contemplation, or simply listening enjoyment. That is without a doubt the entire reason this man makes his music. I am sure every time he records it is a process but a labor of love at the same time. He gives away sheet music on his website for two of his albums! I find that so generous of him to do that. Aspiring piano players can learn and play his music. So, the fact he gives us such beauty and peace through his music is one thing, then to give his actual sheet music away, well that is just amazing. May all of that good karma come back to you tenfold sir!

Listening to this music really helped me today. I had to walk away from the news that has been coming across our TVs and step back and take a breather. We all need it, especially now. I personally need to know that there are still loving and giving people out there and Bernward is surely one of them.

“Sparkling Eyes” was one of my favorites and I added it to my NAMR Spotify Playlist. It reminded me of my wife when I first met her and she still has that sparkle to this day. It is a gift to listen to this music and go through so many feelings, memories, and at times, sadness is coaxed out of me but I still feel good when the music finishes. This is music that puts me in a place that is not of this earth, we call it heaven. Maybe there is some truth that we choose our parents and start in heaven and return once we leave our bodies. It is possible, anything is if you believe.

Becoming
is a very significant word. It can mean any number of things dependent on who you are and what frame of mind you are in when you are listening to this music. For me, it is about being me with no mask or wall to protect me, just me taking all of the sounds, textures, and colors in, then processing it all. What I get in the end is something very special, spiritual if you will, whatever one can call it, it is a blessing that I receive with a lot of gratitude. Every second of my life I am Becoming who I am, evolving, learning, growing, and sharing my experience, strength, and hope with everyone I know and meet.

I hope each and every listener can find a road to take within this music that allows healing. You just never know where Becoming is going to take you but that is exactly what makes it so intriguing. Every listener will find their way through this music, whether it is intentional or not, I am guaranteeing that these tracks are going to affect in you in a prolific manner, but you must let it happen, just listen and Benward, he will take you there.


Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
May 30, 2020 


Track List: 
01. A Magical Dream
02. Lavender Fields
03. Moments of Love
04. Sparkling Eyes
05. Alone on the Way
06. Becoming
07. Mysterious Afterglow
08. The Bright Spring
09. The Harvest  
10. A Swan Dream
11. Floating Leaves
12. September Impressions
13. Long Long Time Ago



Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews


New Age Instrumental/Classical Review: Starr Parodi-The Heart of Frida

Release Date: August 12, 2016
Label: Sonic Doppler
Website


Starr Parodi is one of the most prolific piano players I have had the pleasure to hear this year. The Heart of Frida came out less than a month ago and those music enthusiasts interested in hearing some fantastic new age and classical instrumental music need to hear this album. She brings the story to life on a 1928 Steinway grand that once made its home on the MGM scoring stage.

Frida Kahlo was a muse, feminist, lover, survivor and painter who transformed her suffering into transcendental art. That I think is quite enough for another artist to be inspired by and it definitely unfolded that way for Starr.

The opening track is the eloquent and haunting title track. It is beauty in disguise as the tone is set to bring you back to another world. Believe me it does. The rhythm is notable with Starr’s piano playing sounding simply gorgeous, there is no other way to put it. 

“When Doves Cry” is lovely tribute to Prince. A lot can be said with no words if the music has enough of spirit and the flow takes you downstream, which it does. The river of music just flows into the ocean of your soul as you remember one of the most talented and charismatic entertainers of our time. A fitting tribute to a true star.

Two tracks in and I am completely sold, absorbed with this music. After learning more about Frida it was easy to appreciate the music more. Although I must say if I knew nothing I would have still enjoyed this project immensely.

Starr is a true virtuoso taking her music to another level to dedicate her work to another artist. Her movements are founded in the realm of classical and presented with an impassioned new age flair and preciseness. The transitions she makes within one song is extremely emotional and quite brilliant. You can feel the music.

“Hardly Touching” is absolute perfection on the ivory keys, a story given life through sound not words. Starr said “It is about artistic inspiration coming from another plane, another universe…” How could you not be moved by that statement and not find the reality of it after hearing the song? The music lifts you up higher and higher into the ether, it is a magic carpet ride to the clouds and beyond. Simplistic and delicate as the morning dew dropping off a rose, it paints so many colorful pictures in your mind.

Those are a few examples of what to anticipate from a superb rendering of instrumental piano music. The recording is solid from beginning to end and the flow felt so natural.

Solo piano music does not get much better than The Heart of Frida and I could not say it any more succinctly than that. This is clarity of vision and inspiration brought to your ears, heart and spirit through the fingers of Starr Parodi. Surely this recording will be receiving more accolades then I could possibly give it. If there is such a thing as musical perfection, then this is as close as it gets.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: The Heart of Frida, When Doves Cry, Hardly Touching

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
September 6, 2016
Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews