Piano Paintings

Nice, gorgeously atmospheric Footsteps, there seems to be a mild sense of drama. Almost an element of suspense. This leads to the magnificence of Spring. An awesome piece of music. A gentle start, a few drops of glittering notes, tease the sound buds into blossoming. The whole production is very evocative of the season. Capturing the sense of delicate but firm spirituality. The latter stages full of billowing musical, profuse, growth. As I delve into Spirit of St.Louis, I feel the style change to suit the scene, and fall back gently into my own memories. A strong soundtrack feel to the intrepid adventure. The euphoria of skirting the edges of the unknown, evident.

An Empty Stage, has for me, a slightly melancholic air. Perhaps because the import is assumed to mean that something is amiss, and that that is relevant to myself. What does an empty stage express to an audience? No show, or a creative abstraction of some potentially profound state of being. Nice track. I cannot profess to being a fan of Modigliani, though that's mostly through a lack of knowledge. This painting doesn't move me particularly, though I believe I can pick up something in its communication. The piece of music I find infinitely more interesting. Seeming to present itself, perhaps to the point of resignation. Maybe too subtle for me.

Being presented with 'glimpses of an alternative reality', especially after traversing a 'forbidden zone', imputes that the ultimate vision is one that will be full of aspirations for the better. Something to be enjoyed or coveted even. Though with the forbiddance engrained in the zone, suggestive of some state 'out of reach'. Sometimes that's just the way things are. Mountain Heights opens up a whole new vista. I quite like Lermontov, though I don't know this poem off-hand. I am hazarding a guess at somewhere between Mephistopholes and Prometheus, perhaps. If not at least the glory of such naturally, awe-inspiring scenery would suffice.

The track is very spacious, with a sense of the rarified atmosphere that being in such heights would entail. I like the introduction of organ sounds, part way through. Almost a testimony to all those explorers that lost their lives in the pursuit of what seems to focus around, 'getting a thrill'. Finally, Rameau in Meditation. A fine subject to dwell upon. There is something immensely appealing in some instruments more than others, organ/piano/harpsichord particularly so. Though having said that there is only a few that I try to avoid. There needs to be more than just an instrument, and just a player even. Here I feel there is that excellence in symbiosis that turns simple music, into a wonderful listening experience.

Soul inspiring, heart moving, Feeling awakening and comforting and deeply stirring, spiritual re-newness and em packing. Poetic,articulate,demonstrative, minimalistic, tapestries that magnificent and phenomenally powerful, tender, meaningful and sincere. Like a blockbuster movie. That comes alive before your very eyes and ears. And leaves you speechless as you listen and take everything on board. From the minute sounds of grace, peace and tranquility. To the atmosphere of celestial, heavenly fulfillment that this gives you. Also also the hope, faith and awareness of everything good and gracious around you and in this universe, let alone big world. Humanity and angels working together to give peace, comfort and love between us all. Via music and exceptional talent musicians and composers such as Lena.

Each song a dance, our movement through the world. Hush, galloping, dancing quietly in the joy of our inner soul. Harmonies of existence come rushing in. Moments of hesitation, hovering on the edges of; moments of confidence, expansive, open. We find our footsteps lightening. We are airborne Chagall figures who dance elegantly on the ballroom floor. The depth of Tarkovsky's vision. Interlaced light trickling, cascading.

Yet also speed, tempo, drama. Humor. Vast panoramas in these deftly played keys, but viewed close. Slow building of soundscapes that fill the heart to overflowing. In the depths of the self, on the empty stage. Where it begins.

We are art; we are life. Each piece contains hommage to an artist, Modigliani, Rameau, Lermontov, Debussy, among others. And Lena Selyanina, composer, concert pianist, captures the mystery of living in its most intimate and expansive realities.

I love this album. I rented a space and danced to it for an hour, and made some videopoems. "Spring" is the profound, beautiful music in 'A Poetic of Light/Une poétique de la lumière,' which may be found in a post here: http://brendaclews.blogspot.com/2009/07/poetic-of-lightune-poetique-de-la.html and also at my website: http://sites.google.com/site/brendaclews/videopoetry

Thank you for this beautiful vision, this beautiful music.

Great and modern tribute to Debussy and Rameau

Spring: (footstep in the snow, pas dans la neige) but here in spring
Spirit of Saint Louis: the end with reference to Sunken Cathedral (= la cathedrale engloutie), very beautiful.


all the best,

TS

first i thought: watercolours - but then when i listened further: there is a quiet force...

some moments reminded me at classical modern spanish or chinese piano music.

a very recommendable album with impressive pictures.