Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: neo-classical

  • Soul Dreams

    Soul Dreams

    In 1986 Christopher Boscole released his first solo piano album, Shimmer, which was to become the beginning of a collection of albums, with Soul Dreams coming in at number 11. Not all are ‘new age’ style solo piano, several are based in his various other passions within the music genre, that of contemporary, jazz and neo classical disciplines, which when looking back shows a depth of talent, which has come together to create a wonderful, relaxingly intricate collection of pieces.

    Each of the songs is a delight to enjoy, each special, each reflective of a moment in time. New Hope reflects new beginnings, changes, beginning anew, whereas as Polyana discovers a little of that bright, hopeful Pollyanna-like magic hidden inside us all.

    Empathy is somewhat more sombre, reflective, and intimate and in the final few moments, the almost introspective mood created is delicately lifted, signing off, encouraging moving on.

    Melodic and slowly peaceful, Souls Journey is simply a delightful treat, beautifully constructed and offered as a relaxing moment in time. When followed by Soul Dreams the two make a delicately placed balance of time, place and space.

    Striking a slightly more discordant note, in Piece of the Soul, Boscole uses the piano in a manner which completely changes the mellow nature to date, adding an edginess that life so often contains when least expected. While not challenging the status of what has gone before, the piece reminds that life a can, more often that appreciated, contain changes which while not appreciated, teach and eventually add to the richness of life.

    The finale Sunshine Suite is dainty, delicate and delightful, adding a dose of sunshine to the day; the notes remind one that the rays of the sun come to life through the delicate leaves of trees, the harshness of the summer sun and the warming, gentle nature of the winter sun. In some respects, the piece offers memories of water rippling gently over stones in a stream, with the rays of sunlight highlighting the surface of the water adding their charm and light to the day.

    As with all albums of this calibre, the listener will discover so many variations within each of the songs, dependant on when it is enjoyed and the mood at the time.

    Soul Dreams is definitely relaxing, totally pleasurable and offers the opportunity to take some time out in the day to simply allow the mind and soul to dream.

  • Soundscapes

    Soundscapes

    This is indeed the Music of Deborah Offenhauser; it is eclectic, delightful, totally, enjoyable and an album that can simply be enjoyed for enjoyment sake; no more no less. The work is a compilation of various styles which is evident from the first track, Decidedly Joyful where the piano is underpinned with some serious Sax, a dash or two of flute, and a rhythmic percussion, creating a sort of jazz style but with a tonal influence of perhaps the South Sea Islands or similar, which is refreshing and delicious.

    Free Radical is just that – free and radical, combining piano with synth in a mix of tempos which offers another listening experience, almost space like in some aspects and in others, simply  a more formal and structured piece which offers a lovely contrast.

    Orchestra graces the notes of Irrational Exuberance which enters on the hoof beat of horses and then moves to the ever enjoyable plucked of violin strings to create a carefree joyfulness. When a cheeky flute is added, with some serious underpinning by the piano, you have got a piece that brings a feeling of exuberance, along with a smile, to the heart; an happy, happy piece.

    Evoking a different feeling is Through a Glass Darkly with bird song, the sound of the trees moving softly on the breeze and the slightly more sombre notes of the piano gently crafting a timeless space in which to spend a little time in reflection.

    Madrigals and medieval times comes to mind immediately with Air, a totally ‘olde worlde’ piece which is joyful, intriguing and encourages the imagination to visualise the people in their long gowns, performing the very measured dance steps of times long gone. Air is one of the pieces which will soon become one of the favourites amongst the many on the album.

    The final piece is the sombre The Wonderful Unfoldment of Blue which when considered in context to the rest of the album is indeed sombre and yet comforting.

    The music of Deborah Offenhauser is a little bit of New Age, Jazz, a dash of Blues, Neo-Classical, World and that special something considered as the magic of Deborah Offenhauser.

    Offenhausers’ music may be familiar to many who watch the shows ‘Desperate Housewives’, ‘Madam Secretary’, ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and The Weather Channel, all of whom have used her pieces on a regular basis within their programming, which makes this album a little special as her gloriously enjoyable music can be listened to over and over again, as you so choose.

  • Secret Garden

    Secret Garden

    The first notes entice you to open the gate then enter the garden of life, of sound and pleasure as you listen to the subtle creation of this delightful album presented by Monica Logani. Each of the twelve tracks encompasses a wide range of melodies with the piano the main instrument, often interwoven with acoustic and electric guitar as well as gentle, almost illusive, strings.

    To liken the collection to a garden is an interesting correlation as with any garden the plants, along with the designs to be planted, are chosen with great care, with the final presentation one of great beauty and enjoyment.

    Each of the tracks has been created over the past five years note by note and as with any garden, at times the work changes direction, as if guided by another hand but still maintains the essential element of relaxation.

    At times the music tantalises the memory as it hints at other pieces perhaps heard, other notes and compositions enjoyed, but then as with any flower or colour range, comes back to its own specific pattern, colour and style.

    Drifting effortlessly over the various elements we are encouraged meander slowly through the garden enjoying each of the factors which have inspired the various compositions, beginning with The Gardener, the person who sets out to commence the creation. In this case the piece has been written in commemoration of a gardener, who moved to his everlasting garden, far too soon.

    Autumn Sky brings in the various details of the spectacular sunset and sunrise’s often experienced in this season, along with the wonderful colours as the earth settles into a slower, easier pace, getting ready for the long and sleepy months of Winter.

    Carousel changes the tempo slightly followed by the beautiful solo piano piece, Butterfly, then the electric guitar combines with piano in Bali Bells to introduce a slightly exotic element into the garden.

    Journeys End followed by Between Two Worlds brings the journey through the garden to the end of the pathway, having enjoyed the colour, the peacefulness and the wonderful mix of surprises encountered along the ways as you walk between two worlds, becoming ready to return to the mundane, more refreshed and relaxed than before you entered  the ‘Secret Garden’.