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Piano-Heaven showcases relaxing and melodic piano music, and the music
contained within this CD epitomises everything that this
web-site is about. Our
Mother
is Ralph Zurmühle's third album (the previous two being
Communion
and
Between)
and this CD is almost entirely solo-piano.
Ralph
Zurmühle was born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1959. He had
private lessons from the age of five, and studied classical
music and jazz until he was twenty. He moved to Catalonia in
Spain in 1999, where he currently lives.
"Being There"
is the opening track of the CD, and it is a beauty. A lengthy piece at
over eight minutes, the track has a slow, delicate opening and reminds
me somewhat of a flower unfurling. Gradually, the piece develops and
becomes quite uplifting. As with all of Ralph's compositions, the piece
is easy to listen to, and I am in no doubt of the importance that this
musician attaches to melody.
The album's
second track is more upbeat, with a faster tempo. This is perhaps
explained by the title of the piece- "The Wind at My Back". There is a
definite sense of freedom in this piece and an element of fun as well.
It makes for an enjoyable listening experience.
"Hymn" is as
majestic as the title would suggest. Indeed, when I first listened to
this piece, I thought the opening bars sounded like a hymn without
having seen the track titles. This is a very beautiful composition, much
slower initially that the previous track. At around three minutes, the
piece becomes quite dark and foreboding, before the original opening
returns to add an air of calmness to proceedings once more.
The next two
tracks offer versions of one piece of music- "Our Mother". The first
combines piano with synthesisers, and the second is solo piano.
Interestingly, the first version is almost twice as long as its
solo-piano partner. As much as I enjoyed the piano / synthesiser
version, for me there is no substitute for the solo-piano offering.
Certainly, track four is very sedate, and the synthesisers are used very
well to give the piece a truly soporific feel. There's an ethereal touch
as well, reminding me a little of Constance Demby. The piece develops
beautifully, and comes round full circle to end with the gentlest of
touches.
The
solo-piano version of "Our Mother" is truly a delight. Here is a
composer who is not afraid to use silence in his music. The melody is
incredibly simple, but a joyful listening experience all the same. I
imagine, judging by the album's seducing front-cover, that this piece is
referring not just to the prayer from the "Essene Gospel of
Peace", but also to the gentle beauty of Mother Nature. Oh for all days
to be like this day.
The album's
stand-out track for me is "Horizon", track six on this CD. Minimalist in
form, this piece is achingly beautiful from start to finish. I am
reminded of Arvo Pärt's "Spiegel im Spiegel" from his highly successful
album "Alina". Rather like that music, "Horizon" is a lengthy piece,
clocking in at a shade over twenty minutes- twenty minutes of pure
heavenly bliss. I have listened to this
track dozens of times, and never tire of its natural beauty. There are
enough subtle variations and one or two surprises (such as an unexpected
flurry of notes around the eleven minute mark) to stop this piece from
becoming anything other than essential listening. Piano-Heaven was made
for pieces like this. Put simply, this is one of the most gorgeous
compositions I have ever heard, and its beauty lies in its simplicity. I
also like the fact that this piece tells a story, and this story-teller
is in no rush. This one track is worth the price of the CD alone. The
fact that the album's other eight tracks are of such high quality is
merely a very nice bonus.
Track seven,
"David and Me" is another perfect illustration for budding pianists as
to how silence in a piece can be incredibly powerful. The track is
extremely gentle and graceful, and although the dynamics increase later
on, the track maintains its heavenly beauty throughout. It's another
fairly lengthy track, at twelve minutes.
The album's
penultimate track is entitled "The Return". I would love to know the
story behind this track. The music is optimistic and quite invigorating.
Again, the composer's ear for melody is evident to the listener. The piece
is rather more upbeat than most of the album, but still manages to be
incredibly relaxing.
Our Mother
closes with a delightful composition simply entitled "A Melody".
Needless to say, it lives up to its name!
I am extremely
impressed by this album. The recording quality is top-notch, and those
high notes are crystal clear. I give it my highest recommendation, and
suggest the reader also investigates the composer's other two albums- in
particular the solo piano CD
Between
(2000)
which is utterly gorgeous. Ralph Zurmühle has produced a remarkably
consistent album in which every track is an outright winner. Piano-Heaven is indebted to artists like this. Take a bow, Mr. Zurmühle. You
deserve it.
S.C.
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