Release Date: May 3, 2024
Label: Independent
It
was essential to explain what exactly Pam was talking about. Casual listeners
are likely unaware of these complexities, nor do they care. To me, it's
fascinating. There is a scientific and mathematical part of music and all its
makeup that we can hear if we understand details like this. It has been a
lesson learned for this music fan. Pam shows in the track listing how she goes
up and down the scale for the variations in sounds and tones.
The
twenty-four tracks encompassing this recording are shy of 1 hour (55 minutes).
The first track, "Journey," is the longest at 3:29.
Every track is clear and concise, and her playing is
exquisite. I particularly enjoyed the rhythm and flow within each composition. Her
attention to detail and tempo gives the listener enough time to process all the
music presented. Pam’s musical intelligence makes her approach to the keys
infallible, and it works beautifully even though many of the tracks sound like
they would be challenging to play. Many sounds resonate from the piano;
sometimes, it's hard to believe it's just one person.
Twenty-four tracks are a lot, but don’t let that give you a
false impression. However, considering it’s under an hour, it seems to go by
rather quickly. When that happens, for me anyway, it means I enjoyed the music
so much I did not want it to end, and it seemingly flew by like a busy day. On
the contrary, though, the music is not busy. It's very relaxing and
elegant—something you can use to ease the stress of a day or as a tool for
meditation.
The solo piano I have had the privilege of listening to and
writing about still amazes me after all these years. At first, when I started
this journey, I did not understand how one piano could fill a room with so many
vibrant and colorful sounds. To hear it separate from any vocals or other
instruments is very special. People like Pam Asberry are gifted artists who can
translate the intricacies of the keys into compositions that are so beautiful
and full of emotion that you always walk away from them once they all end,
touched in some way. The entire spectrum of human emotions can be realized in
one listen of 24 Impromptus.
Notes For Those Interested: The Chromatic
Scale
(or twelve-tone scale) is a set of twelve pitches (more completely, pitch
classes) used in tonal music, with notes separated by the interval of a
semitone. Chromatic instruments, such as the piano, are made to produce the
chromatic scale. In contrast, other instruments capable of continuously
variable pitch, such as the trombone and violin, can also produce microtones or
notes between those available on a piano.
Most
music uses subsets of the chromatic scale, such as diatonic scales. While the
chromatic scale is fundamental in Western music theory, it is seldom directly
used in its entirety in musical compositions or improvisation. (Information
from Wikipedia)
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder
March 26, 2024
Tracks:
01 - Impromptu No. 1 in C Major, "Journey"
02 - Impromptu No. 2 in A Minor, "Brave"
03 - Impromptu No. 3 in G Major, "Bliss"
04 - Impromptu No. 4 in E Minor, "Fierce"
05 - Impromptu No. 5 in D Major, "Triumph"
06 - Impromptu No. 6 in B Minor, "Yielding"
07 - Impromptu No. 7 in A Major, "Clarity"
08 - Impromptu No. 8 in F-sharp Minor, "Vision"
09 - Impromptu No. 9 in E Major, "Serenity"
10 - Impromptu No. 10 in C-sharp Minor, "Mercy"
11 - Impromptu No. 11 in B Major, "Resilience"
12 - Impromptu No. 12 in G-sharp Minor, "Reflect"
13 - Impromptu No. 13 in G-flat Major, "Tranquility"
14 - Impromptu No. 14 in E-flat Minor, "Patience"
15 - Impromptu No. 15 in D-flat Major, "Wonder"
16 - Impromptu No. 16 in B-flat Minor, "Wisdom"
17 - Impromptu No. 17 in A-flat Major, "Grace"
18 - Impromptu No. 18 in F Minor, "Solace"
19 - Impromptu No. 19 in E-flat Major, "Joy"
20 - Impromptu No. 20 in C Minor, "Forgive"
21 - Impromptu No. 21 in B-flat Major, "Compassion"
22 - Impromptu No. 22 in G Minor, "Persevere"
23 - Impromptu No. 23 in F Major, "Freedom"
24 - Impromptu No. 24 in D Minor, "Magnify"