New Age Music Reviews: Contemporary Classical Instrumental Reviews

Showing posts with label Contemporary Classical Instrumental Reviews. Show all posts

Contemporary/Classical Instrumental Review: Tim Neumark-Opus 8

Release Date: March 14, 2022

Label: Independent

Tim Neumark's Opus 8 album includes original compositions that Tim released as singles between 2018 and 2021, two additional solo piano tracks created just for this album, and his orchestral arrangement of Michele McLaughlin's "Hope" from her solo piano album Sketches.

While memories of the pandemic are lingering and affecting our lives in one way or another, we still have the music to shake us out of those doldrums. Opus 8 reflects the time when the pandemic was raging. When you look at this album cover, you will notice different pictures and wonder what it all means. They are intended to illustrate moments in life, the simple things that bring such joy. All those little things, and perhaps much of what we took for granted before the last few years, became more magnified. It was a wake-up call to be grateful that you are still here to enjoy those moments that bring a smile to your heart.

While Opus 8 is melancholy, the sheer beauty of Tim's playing is still good for the soul. It greets you with flowing rhythms with colorful bursts of energy. "Shining Through" is befitting the title, with some exciting playing from start to finish. At the halfway mark of the album, it was as if Tim wanted to say something that lifted your spirits. And with one listen, it most certainly accomplishes that. "The Ghost" was another favorite of mine. It all rang so genuinely and prolific when matching the music to the track title. That is a general idea, especially for any instrumental collection.

Tim Neumark's playing is a lot of things, including prolific ("Escape"), uplifting ("Shining Through"), reflective ("Lockdown"), and serving as a reminder ("The Ghost") of what was and finally to give us all something we need with the curtain closer "Hope." Perhaps, more importantly, the all-encompassing message of gratitude, joy, and all the things that make your life what it is.

The range of emotions you can feel on Opus 8 is truly remarkable. There is always something beyond the music that an artist attempts to project to the listeners. Tim Neumark accomplishes that with ease.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

June 13, 2022

Tracks:

01. Lockdown

02. February Moonlight

03. Bows in the Mirror

04. The Ghost

05. Non sequitur

06. Shining Through

07. My Love

08. Still

09. Conundrum

10. Yearning

11. Escape

12. Earth, Paused

13. Hope (An Arrangement for Orchestra)

Contemporary Classical Instrumental Review: Dulce Joya-Reality of Dreams

Release Date: September 8, 2017

Label: CD Produktion und Vertrieb

Website

Dulce Joya is an accomplished pianist from Cuba. She started her studies of the instrument at age 6. It looks like the early start and all the hard work has paid off for this artist in many ways.

She released Reality of Dreams a year ago. This is my first opportunity to hear Dulce’s music. I must say that I am very impressed with the talent I heard on all 12 tracks of this recording. I find great joy in discovering artists I have not heard before.

If you stop and think about the title for a moment it becomes clear what the artist is conveying to you. Your dreams do become reality, and the reality of those dreams are communicated through the music you will hear on this recording.

I have heard countless piano instrumental albums and it takes a lot at this point for me to become interested and stay focused. I am not saying that I do not enjoy most of what I hear, it just has to be excellent to make me feel like I just had a great musical experience.

This is definitely contemporary classical that could easily cross over to new age as well. The new age genre has become very interesting over the years and many of the sub-genres have found a way into the ever-broadening classification as well. This is one album that anyone that appreciates new age would love, I have no doubt.

So, after listening to Dulce’s music I felt very positive and refreshed. Her music is crisp, pinpoint and mesmerizing. Every track is intriguing and full of emotion. This is music that could easily be a soundtrack for a film. It is a quality listen from start to finish.

Perhaps one of the better examples of a story set to moving instrumental music is “Shadows of my Soul.” It builds and builds as the track gets deeper into movements that are pulsating with life and anticipation. It runs over six minutes and what Dulce accomplishes in that timeframe is a brilliant exhibition of musical transitions within one song.

“Call of the King” was another one of my favorites. The title is perfect. The ivory keys and Dulce’s talented fingers introduce a grand marching of the king’s entrance. It was a very picturesque track.

Those are a few tracks that really hit home with me, I really loved the entire album though. Every composition is beautiful and something I would enjoy hearing any time of day or night.

As I listened to each track my interest grew and I was fascinated with all the progressions that Dulce went through in every track. Even without any accompaniment, I was completely engaged with her music. That says it all for me and the music presented on Reality of Dreams.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

October 2, 2018

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. Romantic Power
02. Call of the King
03. Lights and Shadows
04. Sad Moments
05. Magical Ride
06. Pride of Love
07. Shadows of my Soul
08. Stormchild
09. Winter Dreams
10. Bleeding Heart
11. Fallen Angel
12. Goodbye

Contemporary/Classical Instrumental Review: Faith Angelina-Reaching 12

Release Date: August 19, 2017

Label: Independent

Website

A young lady by the name of Faith Angelina has so much talent to offer the world. At a very tender age of 11 this amazing child wanted to end her life. I simply cannot fathom that. However, my own daughter was on a path of destruction when she was 16 and almost died starving herself (you can get her story here). Personally, I am a recovering alcoholic going on 35 years now so I can relate so much to these feelings that take a person to a dark and lonely place.

Faith Angelina is now 12 years old and her album Reaching 12 is a beautiful tribute to her path leading to a full enriched life via the ivory keys.

Music is the universal healer and it can accomplish amazing things. I did not realize what this CD was about until I opened it up and read the liner notes. I found an immediate connection to this young lady and it made me very emotional. What turned it all around for her was the music and for me as a listener, based on my own life experiences, I was able to rejoice in her triumph.

Reaching 12 is a story that celebrates her life and how she overcame the negativity and turned it all around. Again, I can relate to all of this in so many ways. The path to your answers are always within, sometimes they are locked away so tight they are hard to reach. With the realizations of the love and energies that surrounded her, she found her way back. What better way to convey this journey than through music?

This music is beautiful and flowing like a stream of life gaining momentum with each successive track. Without words the story comes alive. There is so much more to this than the music. Although it is the focal point of one’s experience you have to look beyond all that. You must read the heart wrenching letter to her mother and the explanation of each track.

Faith Angelina can help so many others through sharing her story and music. Through this music she found another purpose and a God given talent to share with the world. What a blessing you are Faith. Your story and music are amazing!

Through these wonderful melodies, this bright young talent transmits a powerful message of hope and healing.

5/5 Stars