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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.
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