Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
from Solo Piano Publications, October 7, 2000
I have been a big fan of Robin Spielberg's music for quite a few years now, and am delighted to say that I think "Dreaming of Summer" is her best album to date. Robin's music has always been full of optimism and strength, but the life-changing events of the past few years have brought a new depth and maturity to her composing and playing. I noticed this development the first time I listened to "Dreaming of Summer", and it became even more apparent the more I listened to the variety of moods and colors in this compelling collection of new piano solos. "Dreaming" is also the debut release from playMountain Music, a new label formed by Robin and her photographer/marketing expert husband, Larry Kosson, giving them full control of Robin's releases. As a composer, this also provides Robin with much more freedom and flexibility (as well as a ton of additional work for two of the hardest-working people in the world!). Co-produced and engineered by Steven Miller, the sound quality of this album is amazing. So many solo piano albums have wheezing sounds from the pedals, popping noises from inside the piano or squeaks from the bench, but this has a fresh, "live" sound without distractions from the background - an incredible feat! Each of the pieces on this CD works wonderfully as a stand-alone work as well as part of a unified whole. There is a seamless flow to the CD, but this is no fluff piece - there is depth and passion as well as a sense of peace that comes only from surviving some of life's greatest challenges and emerging with a new wisdom about what is really important - friendship ("Wherever You Go", "Wedding on the Mountain", "Remembering You"), rediscovering the incredible strength of her marriage as well as her own inner strength ("Because of You"), pondering the meaning of life as her infant daughter was undergoing major surgery ("Turn the Page"), and seeking the healing power of flowers and a well-tended garden ("The 2 am Gardener", "Saving the Irises"). Concert audiences have been asking Robin to record her frequent encore piece, "An Improvisation on the Canon" (Pachelbel's Canon in D, of course!), and Robin included that as a bonus track, giving a fresh new treatment to this workhorse of a piece.Sure to be one of my Top 5-favorite albums of the year, I give "Dreaming of Summer" my highest recommendation for it's heartfelt beauty, love, sincerity, and wonderful piano playing. Robin truly opens her soul with her music, and it is a joy to behold!
|
|
|
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
from Solo Piano Publications, September 19, 2000
I have been a big fan of Robin Spielberg's music for quite a few years now, and am delighted to say that I think "Dreaming of Summer" is her best album to date. Robin's music has always been full of optimism and strength, but the life-changing events of the past few years have brought a new depth and maturity to her composing and playing. I noticed this development the first time I listened to "Dreaming of Summer", and it became even more apparent the more I listened to the variety of moods and colors in this compelling collection of new piano solos. "Dreaming" is also the debut release from playMountain Music, a new label formed by Robin and her photographer/marketing expert husband, Larry Kosson, giving them full control of Robin's releases. As a composer, this also provides Robin with much more freedom and flexibility (as well as a ton of additional work for two of the hardest-working people in the world!). Co-produced and engineered by Steven Miller, the sound quality of this album is amazing. So many solo piano albums have wheezing sounds from the pedals, popping noises from inside the piano or squeaks from the bench, but this has a fresh, "live" sound without distractions from the background - an incredible feat! Each of the pieces on this CD works wonderfully as a stand-alone work as well as part of a unified whole. There is a seamless flow to the CD, but this is no fluff piece - there is depth and passion as well as a sense of peace that comes only from surviving some of life's greatest challenges and emerging with a new wisdom about what is really important - friendship ("Wherever You Go", "Wedding on the Mountain", "Remembering You"), rediscovering the incredible strength of her marriage as well as her own inner strength ("Because of You"), pondering the meaning of life as her infant daughter was undergoing major surgery ("Turn the Page"), and seeking the healing power of flowers and a well-tended garden ("The 2 am Gardener", "Saving the Irises"). Concert audiences have been asking Robin to record her frequent encore piece, "An Improvisation on the Canon" (Pachelbel's Canon in D, of course!), and Robin included that as a bonus track, giving a fresh new treatment to this workhorse of a piece.Sure to be one of my Top 5-favorite albums of the year, I give "Dreaming of Summer" my highest recommendation for it's heartfelt beauty, love, sincerity, and wonderful piano playing. Robin truly opens her soul with her music, and it is a joy to behold!
|
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
October 2000 issue of NEW AGE VOICE MAGAZINE, October 8, 2000
By A Customer
"Conceived in the winter, when it's cold and grey and flowers sleep in the frozen ground, Spielberg's latest album whets the bittersweet edge of yearning and nostalgia. The album notes (and in live performance Spielberg's excellent storytelling provide intriguing anecdotes describing the genesis of most cuts--but, let it be said such tales are mere points of departure. Her music is not really storytelling, but about the emotional connections stimulated by memories. One piece, "Saving the Irises," was prompted by an account of an iris garden nearly destroyed by storm, but the underlying sense seems to arise from adimension of irretrievable loss, as expressed through key changes and unexpected shifts in progressions. Indeed, it is the sub-text of her music that invites the deepest consideration. The final cut, a 'bonus' piece, is Spielberg's way of working magic with the "Pachelbel Canon in D." She takes confident liberties with its stately rhythms and well-known fugue, making this piece truly her own. --ALB for New Age Voice Magazine (October 2000 issue)
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|