Elements Series: Water

Peter Kater | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 30, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Real Music
• ASIN: B000ALZHRU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,546 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Pianist Peter Kater has orchestrated a gentle, introspective series of ambient chamber works dedicated to the four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Each CD is distinctive, with Water living up to its title by being the most free-flowing of them all. Using long, pensive pauses and melodies that elongate over time, the music borders on classical--often echoing classical themes, such as the Satie-like ostinato of "Water Ballet," without overtly lifting from them. Water comes close to the painfully serene sound you might associate with Arvo Pärt. Accompanied just by guitarist Mike Hamilton and reed player Paul McCandless, they explore pensive chamber moods, many of them built around improvisations I suspect Kater pieced together into compositions later. Conceptual albums like this are often as much about marketing as music, but on Water, Kater's compositions genuinely do seem to float in slow tide changes and gentle pools. He stays just to the right side of sentimentality and, at times, reaches the sublime. --John Diliberto

Product Description

Twice Grammy-nominated pianist Peter Kater brings you the second brand new release in the Elements Series: Water.

Elements Series: Water’s purely acoustic compositions are beguiling and mysterious. Each melody is masterfully woven and lightly embellished by Mike Hamilton on guitar and Grammy-nominated reed legend Paul McCandless on oboe, saxophone and English horn for a sumptuous, rejuvenating listening experience.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New Age Acoustical Piano with Oboe and Guitar, October 11, 2005

By 

medievalcrusadesbabe "ebabsedasurclaveidem" (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

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

New Age music should border on classical, be melodic, easy on the ear, but it can be strong. It should allow the listener to concentrate on the music for enjoyment, or blend into the background and become part of the environment, bordering on the edges of silence while filling the spaces between.

It should have good production values, in other words it should not sound like it was recorded in someone's basement. Preferably it should sound like someone put the time, effort and interest into producing quality music for the listeners enjoyment. And it should sound like the composer is putting his best effort into the work.

Peter Kater is one such composer/artist. Nominated for "Best New Age Album" in 2003 and 2004, he is very accomplished at this particular genre.

His newest work is a grouping of four CD's on the elements - Earth, Air, Fire and Water. For this review, I chose Water.

The focus is to present the Element of Water in a series of compositions that would connect the element to the listener. This production is all acoustical, and gives us Peter Kater on the piano, Paul McCandless on oboe and English horn, and Mike Hamilton on guitars.

For an all acoustical production, it is excellent. You can hear the piano strings vibrate as he holds the notes, the guitars resonate and you can feel the depth of the oboe. You are given an environment that touches you personally. Excellent recording and production values.

This is a lovely work, paced slow and purposeful to draw the listener in. There is much piano here to appreciate, and the oboe work is a delightful contrast and compliment to the compositions and the piano.

If you like New Age material, this is a classic example of how it should feel and sound. It may be a bit slow for some folks, but the movement of water is never good when rushed. This work does not hurry the listener, but rather allows them to drift, taking the time to enjoy each note and phrase of the compositions. This is a nice addition to any New Age library. mafoster

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from MainlyPiano.com, October 4, 2005

By 

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

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

"Water" is one of four CDs in "The Elements Series" by Peter Kater. This is one of the most calming and stunningly beautiful CDs I've heard in awhile. In fact, I had to be a little extra careful while listening to it in the car because I kept being transported to a place that doesn't require quick reflexes and focused concentration - unlike the roadways of California! The instrumentation on "Water" is all acoustic with Kater on piano, Paul McCandless on oboe and English horn, and Mike Hamilton on guitar. A few tracks are solo piano, including the incredible "Cascade." Kater's intention was to add synthesized sounds to the live music, but he felt that additions only distracted from the integrity of the music. I can't imagine that anything could enhance this music - it seems to be perfection as is. Kater and McCandless are a match made in heaven. Some of the music on this CD was composed and other parts were improvised, but it is impossible to tell which is which. In the ensemble pieces, no one is the clear leader or follower - all three musicians are allowed to shine in some sections and intertwine their musicianship in others. The eight pieces range in length from about 5 1/2 minutes to 11 1/2, allowing the music to evolve and develop at a leisurely pace. The theme of water often includes turbulence and power, but this CD is all about serenity, flow, and peace. Music that is this calming is frequently best left in the background, but this one is the rarity where the music is complex enough to listen to with full focus, hearing something new each time. This is the perfect album for unwinding, relaxing, and drifting off to a place of peace and beauty. Give your mind and body a treat, and enjoy the soothing flow of "Water." Very highly recommended!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Waterfall of Melody, March 22, 2007

By 

M. Wagemakers "Ella Wagemakers" (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

Peter Kater's classical background (and I presume he has one!) is brought into focus here -- broken chords, hints of classical themes, some of which are Chopinesque while others remind us of Beethoven, cadences and scales. As with the rest of the Elements series, his music has the ability of pulling the listener deep down into himself, regardless of where you listen to it - in the car, in your living room, at work, you name it. Again, not overly sentimental, and just the right amount of ambience. This is music which helps you keep in touch with yourself, in the most spiritually intimate and soulful sense of the phrase.