Label: playMountain Music
It must have been amazing to live during the time of the great composers and to know them even more so. We know them through their music and that certainly has provided hundreds of years of entertainment for millions of people around the world.
So, with all of that in mind, where does one come up with the courage to step out and take a chance with these sacred compositions? I have no idea but I do know that Robin is a superb pianist and confident of her abilities and it shows on RE-INVENTIONS. You will recognize many of these songs even though they have been reworked so the foundation stays intact out of her respect for the composers and their music.
Solo piano I believe is a challenge within itself but to take this beautiful music and to reimagine it first then through the sheet music, and play all fifteen tracks her way is an enormous achievement any way you look at it. I was informed by Robin while preparing this review that “Les Patineurs Valse Op. 183 (The Skater's Waltz Reinvented)” had 25,000 streams in four days! If that is any indication of the direction this recording is going that is a beautiful thing for the artist and music in general. I just hope people support the release by actually purchasing it rather than just streaming and moving on to the next thing.
“Piano Sonata No.16 in C major, K.545 (Reinvented)” is a wonderful opening track as it sets the listener at ease and the atmosphere created is sheer audio beauty. As the music moves so do your imaginations and feelings. This is powerful and majestic music and unforgettable. Speaking of powerful, “Canon and Gigue in D major, P.37 (Reinvented)” is an exercise in total command of the ivory keys. It is very strong and it will impress any listener that can appreciate classical, contemporary, or instrumental piano music of any kind. I added it to my New Age Music Reviews Spotify Playlist.
“Melody in F major, Op.3 No.2 (Reinvented)” finds a great partner in the violin to accompany this lovely track. It is so elegant and similar to a lullaby, immediately tugging on your heartstrings. If that was the original intention or Robin’s, it worked well for these ears. Then again if it was not, well, that is my interpretation.
RE-INVENTIONS is reminding me that I collected a box set of classical music many years ago, taking in each selection month by month. My appreciation and love for a variety of music begin with classical because that is where it all began and why we have so many different genres of music today. The mother of all music has many children and grandchildren.
Robin Spielberg has poured her heart and soul into this music, which becomes apparent quite readily. Track after track you have the opportunity to revisit classic compositions and the old blended with the new reborn into several variations. The color, ambiance, and heavenly beauty of this music is brilliantly performed. I can guarantee if you appreciate piano solo music, you will fall in love with RE-INVENTIONS. I know it did not take me long!
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
November 24, 2020
Track List:
01. Piano Sonata No.16 in C major, K.545 (Reinvented)-3:23
02. Liebestraum (Reinvented)- 2:51
03. Canon and Gigue in D major, P.37 (Reinvented)- 4:26
04. Melody in F major, Op.3 No.2 (Reinvented) - 3:14
05. Kinderszenen Op.15 (Scenes from Childhood Reinvented) - 4:18
06. Les Patineurs Valse Op. 183 (The Skater's Waltz Reinvented) - 4:23
07. Prelude and Fugue in C major, BWV 846 - 3:00
08. An der Schönen Blauen Donau, Op.314 (The Blue Danube Waltz Reinvented) - 4:46
09. Piano Sonata No.14, Op.27 No.2 (Moonlight Sonata): First Movement - 7:27
10. Berceuse de Jocelyn (Angels Guard Thee Reinvented) - 5:44
11. The Merry Widow Waltz (Reinvented) - 2:57
12. Wiegenlied Op. 49 No. 4 (The Brahms Lullaby Reinvented) - 2:43
13. Fantasie-Impromptu, Op. 66 (Reinvented) - 2:24
14. Piano Sonata No.8, Op.13 (Sonata Pathétique Reinvented): 2nd Movement - 4:01
15. Ständchen, D.889 (Serenade Reinvented) - 4:32