Elements Series: Air

Peter Kater | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Real Music
• ASIN: B000B6TR2K
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,986 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Pianist Peter Kater has orchestrated a gentle, introspective series of ambient chamber works that stays just the right side of sentimentality and, at times, attains the sublime. Each disc is dedicated to one of the elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Of the four, Air is the most contemplative and ambient, with a quartet of extended compositions, each riding atop synthesizer ambiences and pads. The CD has a hymn-like feel, a style that Kater frequently plays in church concerts. The synthesizers double as atmospherics and spacey church organ, but Richard Hardy's serene bamboo flute on tracks like "Wings of Sound" gives them a more plaintive sound, like wind blown across a desert floor. Kater eschews dynamics and overt melodies, and some of the tracks recall Brian Eno's Music for Airports--especially "Flying Dream," with Kater's layered, wordless choral vocals. He plays the textural alchemist on Air, an album that quietly exults in sonic interactions. --John Diliberto

Product Description

Spacious and inspired, this recording has wings. These beautiful compositions by Grammy-nominated pianist Peter Kater soar higher and higher with Richard Hardy's bamboo and silver flutes and Grammy-nominated Paul McCandless playing penny whistles, oboe, bass clarinet and soprano saxophone. Patient, poignant and very present, this music was created for our times of need and our times of expansion and relaxation. Let it carry you home.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from MainlyPiano.com, November 10, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Elements Series: Air (Audio CD)

"Air" is one of the four-part Elements Series by pianist/composer Peter Kater. It is interesting to note that "Water" and "Fire" are completely acoustic, and "Earth" and "Air" are much more ambient and embellished with synthesizers and sequencers. "Air" features Kater on piano, vocals, and electronics; Paul McCandless on penny whistles, oboe, and soprano saxophone; and Richard Hardy on bamboo and soprano flutes. The CD is comprised of four lengthy pieces that were created to transport the listener to a place of beauty and peace. Some of the music was composed prior to the recording, and some was improvised - it is virtually impossible to tell which is which. Kater certainly shares the spotlight, allowing McCandless and Hardy to add their own magic to the creative process.

"Wings of Sound" is more than twenty minutes of soothing ambient music that, although calm, has the sweep of a soundtrack - perhaps to accompany a sunset or watching birds effortlessly floating in the sky. "Flying Dream" is 16 1/2 minutes of bliss. Ambient and ethereal, it's so easy to just let your mind drift away. The wordless vocals and layers of synth sounds envelop the minimalist piano and carry you off to Dreamland. "All Souls" is mostly electronic, but the flutes, whistles, and piano occasionally bring the heavenly sounds back to earth. "Heaven's Gate" sustains the mood of serenity with mostly piano and synth; McCandless weaves in his magical oboe in the last few minutes.

The "Elements Series" is an amazing achievement in peaceful, uplifting music. Peter Kater has been one of my favorite artists for several years, and these CDs are all excellent. Treat yourself to a relaxing vacation for the mind without having to buy gas or a plane ticket! Recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars peter kater cd, April 23, 2009

By 

Fred Wilson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Elements Series: Air (Audio CD)

The music in the cd is so relaxing I use it when I'm in my studio painting
All the songs are lengthy which makes for relaxing

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Air, by Peter Kater, December 29, 2008

By 

G. Cotton (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elements Series: Air (Audio CD)

The CD is very relaxing, serves the purpose of what I purchased it for. It does complement the massage time. It is consistant with the other CDs I have by Peter Kater.