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Swiss-born pianist Ralph Zurmühle has released three stellar
piano CDs, the first of which is featured here. "Between"
is a
superb album which was released in 2000. Solo-piano in its
entirety, this CD is both intriguing and highly relaxing
throughout. Ralph Zurmühle, currently living in Spain, certainly
is a master of his art. His CDs are remarkably consistent,
maintaining an impeccably high standard from beginning to end.
The CD
opens with a delicate piece entitled "The Beacon". It's a short
track, and sets the mood for what is to follow. It's a lovely
way to open the CD. Gentle, melodic and utterly gorgeous! If
only it could be longer! Consider it as being like a very fine
starter in a lovely restaurant.
And so onto the
main course. What a feast! The treats just keep coming and coming on
this CD. "Farewell" is track 2, and clocks in at a quite lengthy
eight-and-a-half minutes. Fans of Italian musician Ludovico Einaudi
might well appreciate this piece, as there are definite similarities in
style. It's another quiet and reflective piece of music. A great
strength of Ralph Zurmühle is his ear for melody. Many a composer goes
for melody or atmosphere- one or the other. However, this
musician is blessed with a gift, and manages to combine both seamlessly.
"I'll Find You
There" is the title of track 3. This piece reminds me of the music of
Russian composer Kostia, and the fact that different tracks generate
associations with a range of composers I think is a strength of Ralph
Zurmühle. His CDs are always relaxing and melodic, but never
predictable, and the listener never quite knows what is coming next. This track is
very beautiful. As mentioned in my review of Zurmühle's latest CD,
Our Mother,
another feather in the composer's cap is that his pieces feel unrushed.
They tell a story, and this musician tells it like it should be told
without an eye on the clock. This track is over six minutes long, and is
fairly typical for this CD. I find this track very uplifting. It's a
feel-good piece, and one that I can listen to over and over again.
Track 4 is
entitled "Prayer in the Night (for Arno)". I have no idea as to the
identity of Arno, but I am presuming this is a musical prayer and it is
dedicated to him. It has quite a tense opening, yet retains its relaxing
qualities throughout. The left-hand suggests something is wrong, the
right hand gives hope.
I mentioned at the
start of this review that this is an intriguing CD. This is well
illustrated by the fifth track. There is no consistency in the track
titles; they vary enormously in subject matter. Track 5 is entitled
"Indian Child". After a delicate opening, the piece develops into a
jolly little number, reminding me somewhat of a typical piece from
Philip Aaberg or George Winston. I have no idea as to the identity of
this Indian Boy, but as he grows, he clearly turns into a lively
individual. This track is quite different from the other pieces on the
CD, particularly towards the end. One gets the impression that Zurmühle
is having a lot of fun in playing this piece of music. It has a
spontaneous feel to it, and I like it very much!
Track 6, "The
Goddess in My Dream" sees a return to the musical fayre more typical of
Zurmühle. A slower piece, this is a lovely, graceful piece of music. It
certainly has a heavenly feel to it.
"Leaving Home"
turns into another fairly uplifting track. Far from being a sombre
piece, the music perhaps hints at the obstacles ahead, but the mood of
this piece is overwhelmingly positive. It does become more reflective at
the end- perhaps suggesting a moment of doubt or regret.
A thirteen-plus
minute piece arrives in the form of "An Improvisation for La Plana".
Castellón
de la Plana is the capital of a province in Eastern Spain, and I am
assuming this piece is referring to this location. Located by the sea
and clearly steeped in history, the composer obviously holds this
location in high regard, and successfully captures the natural beauty of
the area. Less structured than other pieces on the CD (as one would
expect), the music nonetheless takes the listener on their own enjoyable
journey.
"The Queen and the
King Dancing" is the sort of title which I have come to expect from this
composer! If they are dancing in this track, it is a slow-dance
initially, but graceful all the same. Definitely ballroom-dancing
material! The tempo gradually quickens. Pieces such as this are fit for
royalty.
One of my
favourite tracks on this CD (there are so many highlights) is track 10,
"My Pal Watson".
This piece reminds me
of the style of Wayne Gratz or possibly William Watson. It's fun to
listen to, and exceptionally melodic. How I love this piece!
The title of the
album's penultimate track, "Lullaby for My Soul" would suggest a gentle,
soothing piece of music. It does not disappoint. It is perhaps more
uplifting than the listener might expect from the title. Zurmühle's ear
for melody shines through once more. As with all the pieces on the
album, I can happily listen to this track again and again. Such is the
quality produced by the composer.
It's back to the
food metaphor for the final track- a reprise of "The Beacon". The
listener has enjoyed a perfect meal, and this is the glass of vintage
wine that rounds off the ultimate culinary experience.
"Between" really is an
outstanding piano CD. For a debut release, it is breathtakingly good! I
am intrigued by the abstract artwork on the cover. The CD is nicely
packaged with gold writing inside. No clues are given as to the origins
of the pieces, but this reviewer will soon be pressing for answers in a
scheduled interview with the composer (September). The recording quality
is first-class. Fans of this CD should check-out Ralph
Zurmühle's other two
releases:
Communion and
Our Mother.
One word can sum up Between:
Excelente!
S.C.
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