Clara Ponty

Clara Ponty | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 1997)
• Original Release Date: September 30, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B0000041OD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,846 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Romance

2. Glimpses of Paradise

3. Mind Spin

4. Jeux d'Oiseaux

5. Whispering Winds

6. Reminiscence

7. Sunrise Prayer

8. Melancholy

9. Mandarin Dream

10. Reflections d'Amour

11. Fifer's Tale

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Wind and Wire, Issue 6, January 26, 2000

By 

Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Clara Ponty (Audio CD)

Clara Ponty's debut album fully demonstrates this new artist's tremendous power as both composer and pianist. At first, I had a hard time getting into the music (it seemed too remote), but it was well worth the time and effort to get inside the music and discover Clara Ponty's depth and warmth. This is not easy-listening or pop piano music - there are very strong classical elements (I hear Debussy's influence in many of the pieces) as well as jazz and improvisational qualities. Listeners who enjoy having music unfold and reveal itself over many playings will thoroughly enjoy the ride here. Clara Ponty has obviously had extensive classical training, and her playing is amazing is both its virtuosity and its subtlety.

The CD opens with "Romance", which was co-composed with Clara's father, Jean-Luc Ponty, and has a wonderful grace and dancing, flowing quality. In her liner notes, Clara describes "Glimpses of Paradise" as "passing through a prism, a falling spectrum of colors" - a perfect depiction of bright and fleeting bits of color and light. "Mind Spin" is a light and rhythmic abstraction highlighted with a simple percussion background - one of the jazzier pieces. "Jeux d'Oiseaux" and "Sunrise Prayer" contain both classical and jazz elements, and are light and impressionistic tone paintings. "Whispering Winds" opens with ambient sounds that fade out as the piano gently enters - this piece is really lovely. "Reminiscence" is my favorite - "a passionate tale of a breaking heart" - it is slow, delicate, and painfully beautiful. "Melancholy" and "Reflections d'Amour" are sad and introspective mood studies. "Mandarin Dream" opens with piano, and expands to include African percussion - it becomes the most improvised of the pieces. "Fifer's Tale" closes this very impressive CD on a light yet bold, carefree note. More, more!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rare Jewel, August 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Clara Ponty (Audio CD)

I was looking for some new age music and just happened to pick up this album. But this music goes beyond just the new age genre, a rare jewel indeed. Clara Ponty's classical background serves her well as she composes and performs this fresh new music. At times one can hear the spirit of a Brahms intermezzo, sometimes a hint of Ravel or Debussy, sometimes Schumann, and yet even sometimes a hint of Michael Jones. But this music is really none of these. It is Clara Ponty's music. Her compositions and performance reflect not only musicianship, but an indication of a kind of peaceful beauty that most of us can only dream of. They will sound as clear and fresh 50 years from now as they do today.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars are not enough for this hauntingly beautiful music!, June 2, 1999

By 

greengables (WV, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clara Ponty (Audio CD)

I bought this CD on a whim, and I'm so glad I did. One is tempted to compare Clara's composition and performance to that of Michael Jones or David Lanz, but in fact Clara transcends the "New Age" label. Some of this music is almost Chopin-esque in its simplicity and beauty; her classical education at Interlochen Arts Academy shines through. I love every single selection on this CD, but my favorite is Reminiscence, so aptly named and so very moving. Thank you, thank you, Clara, for your beautiful, impressionistic music, and your highly skillful, interpretive playing. This CD is a treasure!