Generations

George Skaroulis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 11, 2000)
• Original Release Date: April 11, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Evzone Records
• ASIN: B00004R8PJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,371 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from MainlyPiano.com, October 4, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Generations (Audio CD)

"Generations" is the original theme music composed to accompany "The Generations Music and Photography Exhibit," which featured historical family photographs taken in the 1920's by George Skaroulis' grandfather,Theo Patronis. Patronis was born in Greece in 1897 and came to the US in 1913. With his camera, Patronis documented the family history as well as the old and new worlds he called home. The photography exhibit opened in Patmos, Greece in July 2000, and then had its premiere in the US in Atlanta, Georgia in January 2001. Pianist George Skaroulis' music captures an appreciation of life's simplest moments, as do the photographs in the 8-page booklet that accompanies the CD. For the most part, the music is quiet and peaceful. Some of the tracks have additional instrumentation, but the album is gentle and serene, and some of the pieces are breathtaking in their simple elegance and heartfelt emotion.

"Hopes and Dreams" opens the CD with piano and oboe in an almost wistful duet that sets the tone of the album. "Photographia" is a beautiful piece with a simple melody that mirrors the poignance of the photos. As the title implies, "Nostalgia" is a reflective, bittersweet piece, remembering times gone by. The title track begins with a variation on Chopin's Prelude in Cm, and evolves into a wonderfully flowing piece that includes flute and strings along with piano; this is one of my favorites on this album - very soulful and emotional. "Dreams of Children" captures a gentle innocence along with a moving forward. "Se Ymnumen" is another favorite - a very minor piece full of passion. It was inspired by a liturgical piece heard often in Greek Orthodox church services. (It was also on Skaroulis' debut CD, "Homeland.") "Melodia" is a simple, compelling piece that is reflective and very poignant.

A self-taught pianist, George Skaroulis doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles in his music, and none are needed. The messages are clear and straightforward, and Skaroulis is one of the more expressive pianists on the contemporary scene. Another exceptional album by an exceptional artist. Very highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peaceful Escape, August 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Generations (Audio CD)

I purchased this CD after I skimmed every track for about 10 seconds each. I play this cd almost everyday. George's rendition of Shenandoah evokes different deep emotions out of me everytime I listen to him. All of the other songs bring such peace and is a great relaxer or backround music while I'm at work. Hopes and Dreams, Castelli, My New Friend, and Dreams of Children are my favorites. I think I might have to buy another copy of this cd before I wear out my current one. And a bonus, George is a great guy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant, Affectionate Piano Poems, June 18, 2011

By 

simon1c (canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Generations (Audio CD)

" Generations " is a lovingly graceful album - its composition, performance, recording, pictures, as well as art design alike. Filled with gentle piano ballads in a moderate tempo - elegant, lyric, affectionate, reflective, nostalgic, the album preserves a remarkably warm and personal human touch in this era of New Age music.

Nine pieces are pure piano solos. Six have a mild complement of one or two synth timbres (tracks 1 - oboe, 3 - flute, 8 - piccolo & strings, 10 - chime, 12 - strings, 14 - subtle timbres). Track thirteen ' Alethia ', meaning ' Truth ' in Greek, is a poignant song sung by a duet of piano and cello with a touch of strings, reminiscent of Yanni's piano music ' Reflections of passion ' and ' Until the last moment ', simply beautiful and profoundly haunting.

Other evocative pieces include ' Castelli ' (castle), ' Nostalgia ', and ' Generations ', which are immediate melodic enchantment with a somewhat taut and shady tone. In contrast are pieces more lax and loose in rhythms and melodies, like the opening song ' Hopes and Dreams ', which has a mellow ease accompanied by a softly yearning oboe, and ' Shenandoah ', ' My New Friend ', ', and ' Agape ' (charity).

' White ribbons ' is a nostalgic adoption mixed with an intentional scratchy-record sound. ' Anniversary song ' opens with a music box chime to initiate a sober solo piano development. ' Dreams of children ' expresses some childlike joy lilting in a kind of rondo variations. ' Parents ' begins with a traditional dance rhythm, and progresses into a heartwarming harmony with a gracious melody. Each song, in fact, is quite distinctive and inspiring, and could be listened to many times without feeling weary.

Overall, the complete album is a tender beauty - melodious, thoughtful, and heartfelt, and would suitably accommodate various occasions and purposes, whether it is for background music or serious listening, refreshment, relaxation, meditation, healing, or bedtime as well.