Evocation

Album Review

True to the theme of its uniquely provocative title, Craig Urquhart's solo piano recording taps into a rich range of melodic and rhythmic colors designed to provoke any number of heartfelt responses. Over the course of four independently released recordings, the classically trained musician — who is a renowned classical composer in his own right and longtime assistant to Leonard Bernstein — has drawn upon the influences of the world's most renowned masters to become one of modern acoustic new age music's most transcendent voices. This disc offers a stirring glimpse into Urquhart's concern for important environmental issues while drawing upon the inspirations of Schumann, Bach, Debussy, and Erik Satie. The name of the recording derives from a group of piano pieces written by the early-20th century Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz. Although many of Urquhart's songs possesses a moody vibe, a melancholy minor key atmosphere, his works are always bookended by opening and closing tracks which speak of bright optimism through the rainy moments of life. A sunny, higher-register melody offsets the darker harmonic tones on "Fruhling." The "Epilogue" to the recording is a piece that plays like a joyful poem...gentle yet hopeful, summarizing the album's journey and the joyful rhythm of life. A beautiful addition to the collection of the fan who loves the George Winston/David Lanz take on the new age piano genre.