Search - David Lanz :: Cristofori's Dream

Balm to the soul

- Kasia S. | New York City | 07/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's so easy to forget how potent and magical music can be, with the daily grind, running to work, doing chores, paying bills and being part of this society of fast movers and shifters, until I stop in my tracks under the spell of this music. Cristofori's Dream is a pearl, in no words I mean small but a treasure that can be unnoticed until spotted. I had this cd in my collection for so long I almost forgot about it, and upon listening to it for the past few days, I'm back in love with it, not that it ever went away but life goes so fast that I forge to listen to my own favorites. I often find myself putting Lanz as background music to reading, and half the time I stop reading and make the music louder and day dream to it, it's that wonderful!



Some of my favorites are:



Cristofori's Dream the title song is movie like, romantic, moody and tender and puts me in a dream like quality. The chorus, often repeated is really addictive, as I can hear it every day and not get tired of it. To me it sounds like an ice castle bathed in a winter wonderland with sun reflecting off the falling snow.



Spiral Dance has flute in, which I have played for about 18 years now, since I was a kid and it's really delightful and sparkling. The piano and the flute twist together like the DNA helix, or a huge curling staircase plummeting down, they accompany each other in a real lovely partnership. They flirt and play to the point where I want to dance on my toes, its really pleasant and happy music. Since Lanz uses synthesizers and various instruments to add to the piano this is a really intriguing cd that never tires me.



Green into Gold mixes piano, drums and various small objects blending into exotic and almost jazz like quality of sound. I can easily see the jungle in it but it's refined and soft, nothing wild.



Wings to Altair shows why Lanz is one of the foremost expert contemporary new age recording artists, as he creates sounds that might share spotlight with the most amazing movie, if used as a soundtrack. This music is complex yet it sounds like a breath of air turning pale colors as it tickles my ears.



A Whiter Shade of Pale almost sounds like a wedding, I just read love and happiness and pure glow from the music. It's charming and sultry yet romantic almost to the point of tears and goose bumps.



And to help others understand him, I will share a quote from Mr. Lanz; "A friend of mine was leading a seminar on the energy centers of the body and wanted music to illustrate the flow of energy through these areas sometimes referred to as chakras," Lanz says. "I was also interested in the healing qualities of music and it's effect on body and soul, so I made a little tape of piano music for the seminar and just about everyone who heard it, to my utter surprise, wanted a copy!"

I see his achieved his goal right away because his music has fed my heart and soul for years, making me feel happy, relaxed and lost in a dream like world of sparkling harmonies."

For The Piano Lover !

Linda J. Winslow | Washington State | 08/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh, Wow!

This is a cd that will be liked by all who enjoy George Winston, Mehdi, Danny Wright, Keiko Matsui, or even Jim Brickman. It is the very essence of good new age. So tranquil, yet so spirited, this cd is a refreshing break from my well-worn collection, I just keep wanting to listen to it over and over again. I am amazed!

It reminds me somewhat of Kevin Kern, but still very unique. This is music to the soul. Absolutely relaxing, as well.



ALSO RECOMMENDED: Mehdi ~ Instrumental Heaven Volume 7 ..Truly a Gem...Samples are at SoothingMusic,Com...Just Listen.

"

The best of David Lanz.

- Kasia S. | 07/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cristofori's Dream is, as you probably know, the album that has defined "New Age" music this decade, and it's easy to hear why. This CD is much better than some of his later works, particularly his collaborations with Paul Speer. Every song revolves around wonderul melodies, from the aetherial majesty of "Cristofori's Dream" to the hypontic ostinato of "Green into Gold", but Lanz keeps them varied enough to keep it all interesting. Every song is also original, unlike some of the tuneful but bland material on his 1995 release "Sacred Road." If you own other Lanz CDs, this will seem a little different--in the absence of an orchestra, he makes more liberal use of synthesers and exotic-sounding percussion. And though it lacks the classical grandeur of "Skyline Firedance," it seems fresher.(Also, if you have a piano and can read music, you will enjoy the sheet music in "Solos for New Age Piano," by David Lanz.)"