Sketches [Import]

Kurt Bestor | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 24, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: River Records UK
• ASIN: B00001O2VT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,040 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Wind and Wire, February 27, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Sketches (Audio CD)

This is pianist Kurt Bestor's ninth album, but I have to admit it's a first for me. I was very excited about it, as it gave me a chance to review a non-Tesh album featuring violinist, Charlie Bisharat - one of my very favorite musicians and performers. Charlie plays on only two cuts, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying the entire CD, and have played it over and over. Bassist Michael Manring is also prominently featured on most of the pieces. The cuts are so varied that the album almost sounds like a compilation of various artists, yet it is held firmly together by the theme of celebrating the genius of artists, inventors, explorers, and writers whose dreams and musings were first recorded as "sketches". With inspiration coming from such a varied selection of heroes as Thoreau; Stradivarius; former slave Sojourner Truth; Audubon; television's inventor, Philo T. Farnsworth; and Native American Olympic gold-medalist Billy Mills; it is no wonder that the album has such an impressive palette of musical styles. It goes from the country/folk bounce of "Expedition" to a glistening peacefulness in "Fishing the Sky"; "Stradivarius" has a very classical flavor with soaring strings; "Mama, Don't You Weep" is a classic spiritual. "A Romance With Electrons" has the sweep of a soundtrack to a movie featuring a farm with gently swaying fields on a warm afternoon. "On Pastel Wing" is the only piano solo, and it is gorgeous - very peaceful and moving. From there, we move on to "Faces On a Fresco", which opens with Gregorian Chant and flows into a lilting piece that features recorders, flute, and cello - I really like this piece! "From Leonardo's Sketchbook" is a light-hearted frolic celebrating DaVinci's sketch of a flying machine. "Windrunner" features Native American drums and vocals, and carries a feeling of both sadness and triumph. "Sketches" closes this impressive set as a tribute to all of those lives celebrated in the music as well as an homage to sketching itself. It is mostly piano with a few background instruments delicately accompanying Bestor. I give this one two thumbs and a big toe up!

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing, October 14, 2011

By 

PC Jones (Southern Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sketches (Audio CD)

Every single composition in this album is simply amazing. I remember going to Kurt Bestor's Christmas concert in St. George when I was eight or so, and I've been in love with his music ever since. This is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most beautiful piano pieces I've heard in years..., February 28, 2011

By 

Catherine S. Todd (Oxford NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sketches (Audio CD)

I am amazed that I have never heard of Kurt Bestor before. This acoustic piano is incredibly beautiful. After hearing just one song where he played with Sam Cardon on "Innovators," I looked him up and couldn't wait for this CD to arrive. Thank you, thank you!