Search - David Wahler :: A Star Danced

Writings by Serge Kozlovsky

Serge Kozlovsky | Minsk, Belarus | 06/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In silent windless night

The voices of the distant stars

Are ringing in my heart



This music is filled with transparency. It conveys very simple and clear emotions which purify the heart and arouse the spirit. Some sentimental notes are felt in the music of the album "A Star Danced" by David Wahler. These are voices of silent nights when you are alone with your own essence and naked in front of the unfolding endlessness.



The sampled electronic music of David Wahler is full of individuality. It speaks its own very personal language. Sometimes the celestial nocturnal tunes of "A Star Danced" remind me of the music of Jonn Serrie. But David Wahler definitely has his own style. Maybe the comparison with Jonn Serrie occurs to me because the music of "A Star Danced" has an evident healing effect. It rehabilitates the mind and raises the spirit. The piano of David Whaler is warm-hearted and moving.



One wants to say also that the music of "A Star Danced" is bewitchingly beautiful. David Wahler is a magnificent composer. "A Star Danced" is listened to in one breath. This release is a very precious sample of music therapy.



Serge Kozlovsky

[...]"

From MainlyPiano

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 03/17/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

""A Star Danced" is the exciting follow-up to David Wahler's award-winning 2009 debut, "Antiquus." Wahler was recently named "Best New Artist" in Zone Music Reporter's annual awards, and his new release firmly establishes him in the forefront of the new age, ambient, and contemporary instrumental genres. A variety of moods and emotions are expressed in the thirteen instrumental tracks which Wahler performed on keyboards (sampled instruments just keep getting better. I was sure the horn on tracks 1 and 13 was "real"!); the only other musician is guitarist Brent Gunter, who appears on track 3. Where "Antiquus" was inspired by ancient myths and oracles, "A Star Danced" goes inward to reflect on the personal experiences of the composer. Graceful, dreamy, and beautifully recorded, the music is very personal yet easily accessible through common life experience and the universal language of music.



"A Star Danced" begins and ends with "Quest," a musical tale that starts with the ethereal sounds of a dream. A short time later, much of the lead is played on horn (flugelhorn or trumpet), which gives the piece a colorful, cinematic sound. The tone of the piece suggests that the quest is ongoing, without a distinct conclusion in sight, but that the journey itself is the most important part of a quest. The title track is much more ethereal and ambient, creating a vision of dark deep space, slow movement, and twinkling stars - a massage for the mind. I love "The Seeds of Time," which features Brent Gunter on guitar. Ambient sounds, haunting flute, and gentle voices provide an atmospheric backdrop for the beautiful guitar work. "Come Gentle Night" is an invocation to dream in blissful tranquility. I have a strong feeling that Debussy would be very pleased with Wahler's electronic arrangement of his "Reverie." The spirit of the original piece is very much intact, updated with contemporary instrumentation and sensibility. "Sigh Away Sunday" is pure rapture set to music, putting the weekday cares and worries a million miles away. "Vespera" is my favorite track, reminding me of George Skaroulis at his evocative best. Magic and mystery blended with a touch of melancholy create a mood of passion and deep longing. Wow! "Missing You" was composed and performed for Wahler's father's funeral - a beautiful tribute that overflows with tenderness and love. I also really like "A Rose Distilled," an ambient piece with guitar, flute, harp, oboe and chimes that floats on a cloud of soothing sound. This is another fantastic album from David Wahler!



It looks like we're in the midst of another awesome year for new music, and "A Star Danced" is likely to be near the top of the pile of great albums! Very highly recommended!"

David Wahler Unfurls Cosmic Masterpiece with A Star Danced

R. M. Manoharan | 03/16/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes you can tell by the packaging of a CD - and its title - what kind of music you might expect to hear. This is very true of David Wahler's second album, A Star Danced. The elaborate and elegant digipak design casts a charming-looking bear dancing under the stars, and the music conveys the same celestial, wondrous feel.



Composed and performed entirely by Wahler on keyboards and synthesizers, with a guest appearance by guitarist Brent Gunter on "The Seeds of Time," the music is a magical mix of sampled guitars, basses, drums, percussion, horns, and strings, resulting in a kaleidoscope of sound that exudes ethereal ambiance and cosmic sweep anchored by strong themes and melodic hooks. This is the perfect soundtrack for a long night drive under a starry sky.



The opening and closing tracks set and summate the tone for this sonically mystical album. "Quest" and its concluding reprise literally sound like a synthesis of Miles Davis and Herb Alpert soloing over layered textures by Vangelis and Tangerine Dream. The result is pure aural bliss.



The quality of the compositions, performances, and sounds recalls similar keyboard/synthesizer artists such as Michael Stribling, Pat Metheny collaborator Lyle Mays, Genesis member Tony Banks, and Miami Vice composer Jan Hammer.



If you do listen to this under the night sky, the stars will seem as if they are dancing, and so will your senses.

"