Beyond Black & White – Thomas Barth (Diversity Recordings/Musik International) www.thomasbarth.com

To love this album you have merely to love the sound of a real grand piano. Beyond Black & White brings together many different piano styles. Essentially its roots are in the deep, emotionally rich soil of the European Romantic Art Music tradition, i.e., from Beethoven till a century beyond. Some pieces lean a little towards 20thC discord and avant garde strangeness, but much of Barth’s music offers the simple, wistful warmth of comfy melodies and harmonies at its heart. The more one listens, the more the richly woven diversity becomes apparent: was that a hint of Beatles, or was it Elton, or the theme from Cheers? Sometimes vigorous, tumbling, shimmering, breathtaking virtuosity breaks out, but more often we are residing in Satie-esque simplicity.
If you are like me, the sound of a real piano, even a humble old upright, is in your blood and bones – so why not come home to a real piano?

Buy now from:

not available from Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com