Ocean Waves (O Mar) - George Winston, Caymmi, Dorival [Sr
Reflection
Rain
Blossom/Meadow
The Venice Dreamer, Pt. 1: Introduction
The Venice Dreamer, Pt. 2
More like poems for piano than traditional, structured songs, the music of George Winston plays like a lyrical soundtrack to the natural world's rhythms, and nowhere is this more brilliantly enacted than on his third album... more », Winter into Spring. There are wondrous, beautiful melodies here, but what's amazing is Winston's intense inspiration that spills from his spirit and flows straight to the keys. He uses simple techniques that would hardly impress the most intellectual of music critics but can bring any listener with an artist's heart to tears. Tense and full of motion, his Steinway urgently rolls through songs like aspen leaves fluttering in the wind. From the first sparse, tinkling notes of "January Stars," Winston pulls you into his solitary dreamscape and doesn't let you go until the CD's end. During "January Stars" it's hard not to imagine standing in crunchy snow while staring up at stars glittering in a black, expansive sky. Another standout, the 10-minute "Rain," may be the most archetypal of Winston pieces. Beginning with serene, deliberate melodies, the piece jumps into a chiming complexity that grows until the listener is drenched in streams of urgent, rushing-watery notes. It's fitting Winston named this album after a transition because the music couldn't take you to lovelier places. A masterpiece. --Karen Karleski« less
More like poems for piano than traditional, structured songs, the music of George Winston plays like a lyrical soundtrack to the natural world's rhythms, and nowhere is this more brilliantly enacted than on his third album, Winter into Spring. There are wondrous, beautiful melodies here, but what's amazing is Winston's intense inspiration that spills from his spirit and flows straight to the keys. He uses simple techniques that would hardly impress the most intellectual of music critics but can bring any listener with an artist's heart to tears. Tense and full of motion, his Steinway urgently rolls through songs like aspen leaves fluttering in the wind. From the first sparse, tinkling notes of "January Stars," Winston pulls you into his solitary dreamscape and doesn't let you go until the CD's end. During "January Stars" it's hard not to imagine standing in crunchy snow while staring up at stars glittering in a black, expansive sky. Another standout, the 10-minute "Rain," may be the most archetypal of Winston pieces. Beginning with serene, deliberate melodies, the piece jumps into a chiming complexity that grows until the listener is drenched in streams of urgent, rushing-watery notes. It's fitting Winston named this album after a transition because the music couldn't take you to lovelier places. A masterpiece. --Karen Karleski
"I live on the coast of Oregon, where winter storms are often times brutal, and when I hear "Febuary Seas" I can see the ocean and feel its savageness. I love all the music on this album, many speak to me and I can see them. I love this music!"
Another classic George Winston album
Brian D. Rubendall | Oakton, VA | 08/05/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"What elevates George Winston's music above the level of your average new age artist and makes it more than just background noise, is the excellent ability he has to create a mood throughout an album. "Winter Into Spring" ranks with other great Winston albums like "Autumn," "December" and "Summer" in taking the listener away into an aural landscape of distinctive beauty. That he is able to do this with nothing other than his piano is simply amazing. "Winter Into Spring" is another triumph for a great artist."
Put this one on continuous play
Brian D. Rubendall | 09/19/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Music that massages the gray matter. Great music to program by."
Captured moods
Becky | New York State | 04/25/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"He has captured the moods of winter into spring I think(for around the area where I live). The excitement of January when winter is new. The settling in of February and even the log cabinish mood of march is captured in the winter months. The awakening of spring with the rain. The rain brings growth which leads into the breezy meadow and the slowing of the briskness to a more steady pace. If I want to chill out I give a listen to 'Winter Into Spring'. I own the cassette tape of this album, and I'm glad I bought it."