What makes a song played with piano and violin new age? It is hard to point out, but when you listen to track no. It is jazz and neoclassical at the same time, and an example of Gjeilo’s qualities both as a piano player and composer. The Line is the best solo piano track on the album, and the theme around 2min20sec is played with passion and skill. This song is almost like a conversation, rapidly changing speed but the mood stays the same. Track three, Michelle, is happy and uncomplicated. But it is a beautiful track, not too long either. The track has the enthusiasm of a child when it comes to winter and snow.Īfter the fast and uplifting opening, North Country is more slow and reflective. You can almost see the season’s first falling snow between the skyscrapers. You only have to listen to the album for a minute or so and you know two things Ola Gjeilo is a highly skilled piano player and great composer. The first track, Snow in New York, is simply incredible. It is rather a statement quality, since Secret Garden has sold millions of albums. Especially the tracks with violin can remind of another Norwegian band – Rolf Lovland’s Secret Garden.
On track 14 and 15 Tom Barber plays flugelhorn. On track 5, 9, 12, 13 and 14 you can hear David Coucheron on violin and Johannes Martens on cello. This is the music you want in the background when you are having your friends over for dinner, or are walking on the beach on a bright winter day listening to your music player. But I must point out that this is not music for meditation either. This is perhaps what makes Stone Rose into a typical new age album? It is definitely not jazz or classical.
But at the same time Gjeilo’s style is dreamy and full of impressions. The atmosphere is fresh and uplifting – but also somewhat uncomplicated. The supreme quality of the recording is also audible if you purchase it on iTunes – but if you want the best, you better buy the CD. The album is being released as a Hybrid Super Audio-CD with 5.1 Surround. The piano recording is flawless, and this gives the album a nice and polished touch you can play it loud, and still there is little or no static noise. This means that it is not a studio recording, and you can feel the natural resonance of the room – which I think is a bonus. It is produced by the Grammy-nominated Lindberg Lyd at Sofienberg church in Oslo, Norway. Gjeilo is nothing less than a piano virtuoso.Īn important aspect of Stone Rose is the high quality recording. There is nothing wrong with that, but when compared to a piano player of Gjeilo’s format – who has studied at the Royal College of Music in London and has a Mater’s Degree in composition at the Juilliard School of Music – the difference is obvious. Many new age piano artists are self thought, or have only a little formal training. Either way, you will be enthralled by this fabulous debut album. Or you may of course let your mind drift away and not focus on the title at all. Gjeilo’s music is very visual, and the title gives meaning to the track. Here the name is a starting point for the imagination, something to tune your mind to. When listening to Norwegian pianist and composer Ola Gjeilo’s debut album Stone Rose from 2007 I found that the track name was of great importance. For some artists the name of a song is unimportant, and for other it is essential.
A few handpicked words describe a whole track.
I enjoy the beautiful melodies, Gjeilo’s playing and the high sound quality.” – NewAgeMusic.The song title is in a way the only lyrics in instrumental music. “…this is close to a perfect new age piano album. Stone Rose is Ola’s first solo album, eagerly awaited across the world by audiences who have fallen in love with his expressive compositions and serenely beautiful playing. Also featured on the album are elite American and Norwegian musicians Johannes Martens (cello), Tom Barber (flugelhorn) and David Coucheron (violin). Many of the tracks are expressions of Ola’s deep love for New York City, where he lives and maintains his highly successful career as a composer and pianist. The evocative melodies and harmonies of Stone Rose are sure to captivate listeners from the first hearing. His music is a blend of jazz, classical and popular music influences, married in a unique and passionate style. This reflective, tuneful album is a collection of beautiful piano music written and performed by Ola Gjeilo.
Official Digital Download – Source: | Digital Booklet | © 2L (Lindberg Lyd) FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 51:32 minutes | 801 MB | Genre: Classical