Customer Reviews

Return to Homeland

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is so beautiful. George continues to amaze me with his ability to softy caress the piano keys with such a loving touch. I have many instrumental albums that I play to relax and unwind, or to curl up with a favorite book... But George Skakoulis is one of my very favorites. I have given his CDs to many friends as gifts and every single one of them, have thanked me over and over. (One of my all time favorites is his "GENERATIONS" CD.) I often play George's albums on 'repeat' while I am creating in my art studio and I never get tired of listening to his music. Do yourself a favor and buy this CD now.. you will definitely be happy you did! :) Thank you George... You've done it again with "Return to Homeland".

I believe I own every CD this composer/musician has produced. I frequently give them as gifts, and "Homeland" is always appreciated. I have it on my computer at my office, and I am asked at least a few times a week what it is - everyone likes it so much. As an aside, I have given "Numinous" to friends who are ill or having surgery, and they all have commented on how the music is relaxing enough to take their minds off pain.

I aboslutely love this CD. It's up there with Pachabel's Canon for me.

" Return to Homeland " is one piano poem filled with personal and emotional inspiration in regard to the composer's homeland Greece. Nine pieces are new versions derived from Skaroulis' 1996 debut album " Homeland " (details on evzonemusic.com), including the last song ' Is Agios ' (a Greek Orthodox hymn), which also appeared on his album " Generations " a year ago titled ' Se Ymnumen ', but adding a brief liturgical recitation of a man at the song's beginning here. Five pieces are just about a minute long, with some melodies carrying an ancient classical feel. A few of the tracks are somewhat connected at their endings or beginnings (9 & 10, 14 & 15, 18 & 19).

' Athena ', bearing the title of the Greek Goddess of Wars, Wisdom, and Craftsmanship, has some darkly haunting, formidable sounds at the opening and ending, overshadowing the otherwise enchanting song and album (transformed into a mellow song in the 2007 album " Reunion "). In stark contrast is the following song ' Traditions ' - a heartwarming, nostalgic ballad that would form a nice opening for the rest of the music, which is all quite romantic, soberly. ' I Remember ' is another emotional piece composed of a meditative prelude, voices of children and adult, and a deeply affectionate, pondering tune. Still more touching is ' Eleni ' (Helen) - warm and beautiful, and profoundly wistful with a weighty accompaniment of cellos and violins.

The sound of ocean waves heralds another pensively romantic ballad ' Return to Patmos ' and a series bearing some somber biblical titles, which comprises many broken melodies and harmonies. The name ' Evi ' brings to mind here the Adam & Eve story and St. Paraskevi, a legendary Greek Christian martyr under the ancient Romans. ' Evangelia ' carries a lightened-up tune initiated after some clinking church bells (rearranged with strings in " Reunion ").

Then some heavy strings, almost depressing, set off the next song ' My Dream ' and another series having a very reflective, personal feel. ' Mosiac ' evokes in one a sublime, contemplative mood with its adagio, tinkling melodies. The journey eventually ends with an adopted hymn - like a private prayer for the future path.

One felt that the composer has poured his heart out in arranging this homeland album over the years. Its deep blend of personal affection and nostalgia, the ancient and contemporary, romance and lyrism, meditation and sobriety, is without parallel in all his other albums so far.

I listen in my office startig at lunch time, after the activity of morning. It's relaxing,soothing, calms the remainder of the day.