|
If there
was an award for exemplary presentation of a CD,
Stephan Moccio's debut album, "Exposure" would
be a most deserving recipient. The stunning 24
page booklet contains contemporary, abstract
pictures that capture the spirit behind each
track. Accompanying the vibrant images, are
lines of prose and poetry, which further enhance
the listening experience, for the reader gains
an empathetic understanding of the composer, and
can therefore have a better appreciation of the
often amazing music contained within the CD.
Of course,
it would be no good at all if, after this
build-up, the music was a let-down. Fortunately,
the music itself is excellent. The CD opens with
"October", the style of which very much reminds
of the Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi. It is a
lovely, flowing piece, and gets the CD off to a
great start. "Dukes" is another wonderful
composition. Its slow tempo allows the music to
develop in its own time, and the melody itself
is very graceful.
The album's
fourth track is a definite favourite. The slow
melody of the curiously named "Ow" gradually
reveals itself, and the music itself is of
unparalleled beauty. It merges at the end with
"Zephyr", illustrated with the following words
of thought from the composer in the insert- "A
soft gentle breeze that guards us from evil and
allows hope to enter- We all need hope."
Track 6,
"1972", is another popular choice when I am
listening to this album. It has a very
accessible melody. I also like "David's
Whisper", and it seems that a figure from the
past has offered a guiding hand in the creative
process behind this track. It is a lovely piece.
f push came
to shove, I think the CD's nineteenth track,
"Gabrielle" would just about come out on top for
me. The gorgeous, simple melody fades in, and
the listener finds them self wishing the track
would not come to an end.
Many of the
tracks on this CD are short. It would be fair to
say, each track is only as long as it needs to
be. The standard is extremely high throughout.
The compositions are recorded on a Yamaha piano,
and the recording quality is excellent.
Kathy
Parsons at MainlyPiano.com has also lavished
praise on this outstanding musician. It is about
time the world took notice.
Unbelievably, this is the Toronto-based
pianist's debut solo album, although Stefan has
been writing songs for the stars for many years.
These include top-names such as Celine Dion ("A
New Day has Come"), Sarah Brightman ("What You
Never Know"), Josh Groban ("My Heart Was Home
Again"), Olivia Newton-John and Hayley Westenra.
From piano lessons at four, to winning music
awards in his teenage years, to gaining a
scholarship at the prestigious Berklee College
of Music in Boston, it is little wonder that
Stephan has achieved great success. He had a
desire to return to his musical roots, and if
this is the standard reached from a first
attempt, it is fair to say Stephan Moccio's
recording career looks very bright indeed. I
give this album my highest recommendation.
Bravo,
Stephan!
S.C. |
