Jeff Bjorck returns with IMPRESSIONS IN BLACK AND WHITE, his third Pure Piano release. Whereas nature inspired his first two CDs, this third effort?s compositions sprang primarily from Jeff?s imagination and a colorful pal... more »ette of childhood memories. The liner notes tell the stories behind each piece, and Bjorck encourages his listeners to read them while playing the CD for a richly nostalgic experience. The shift from nature to imaginative impressions is also reflected in the departure from colorful panoramic photos which graced his previous CDs. For this new disc, Bjorck digitally created an impressionist piano image in black and white, but he insists that ?the music is always in full color!? Recorded primarily in 2004, these eleven pieces were composed over the past four years with two exceptions: All I See Is Air (1977) and Return To Catskill Meadow (1998). Played softly, IMPRESSIONS presents fresh "quiet music to calm the heart in a noisy world." Many pieces on this new disc are more vibrant, however, and the listener is encouraged to turn up the volume on occasion for optimal enjoyment! Jeff notes, ?I hope that these IMPRESSIONS will give my listeners the emotional, classically styled music they have come to expect, while gently introducing them to my more energetic side!?« less
Jeff Bjorck returns with IMPRESSIONS IN BLACK AND WHITE, his third Pure Piano release. Whereas nature inspired his first two CDs, this third effort?s compositions sprang primarily from Jeff?s imagination and a colorful palette of childhood memories. The liner notes tell the stories behind each piece, and Bjorck encourages his listeners to read them while playing the CD for a richly nostalgic experience. The shift from nature to imaginative impressions is also reflected in the departure from colorful panoramic photos which graced his previous CDs. For this new disc, Bjorck digitally created an impressionist piano image in black and white, but he insists that ?the music is always in full color!? Recorded primarily in 2004, these eleven pieces were composed over the past four years with two exceptions: All I See Is Air (1977) and Return To Catskill Meadow (1998). Played softly, IMPRESSIONS presents fresh "quiet music to calm the heart in a noisy world." Many pieces on this new disc are more vibrant, however, and the listener is encouraged to turn up the volume on occasion for optimal enjoyment! Jeff notes, ?I hope that these IMPRESSIONS will give my listeners the emotional, classically styled music they have come to expect, while gently introducing them to my more energetic side!?
CD Reviews
From Solo Piano Publications
Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 06/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Impressions in Black and White" is pianist/composer/Renaissance-man Jeff Bjorck's third release to date. While Bjorck's first two albums were inspired by nature, most of the music from "Impressions" came primarily from his imagination. A clinical psychologist and professor at a theological seminary in Southern California, Dr. Bjorck always has a lot of diverse irons in the fire, and his music reflects those various influences. This is a mostly peaceful solo piano album, with a few more upbeat and energetic pieces that allow us to see another side of Bjorck's musical personality. As he did on his first albums, he has framed his original compositions with two classic hymns, "Day By Day" and "Be Still My Soul," which happens to be my favorite track on this CD.
"Feather's Flight" is another favorite. With the left hand playing the part of a gentle breeze and the right hand a floating feather, this is truly an impressionistic piece that is hypnotic and soothing. "Walking With Tevye" is quite different. Referring to the lead character in "Fiddler On the Roof," this is Bjorck's idea of what it would be like to join the milkman on his delivery route. Very minor and Russian-sounding, this piece has a lot of energy behind its melancholy melody - a very interesting and enjoyable concept. "Return to Catskill Meadow" is a variation on a theme from an earlier piece, and is Bjorck at his best. The spaces between the notes are as important as the notes themselves, and the beautiful fluidity makes it feel like an inspired improvisation. One of my favorites of Bjorck's previous works is "Desert Cloudburst" (now available in sheet music!), which so wonderfully describes a rainstorm in the desert. "Sun Shower" is similar with its percussive "fat" raindrops splashing on the ground and causing steam and rainbows - played with energy and enthusiasm. "All I See Is Air" is a tale of unrequited love that Bjorck originally composed when he was sixteen. Hope and longing fill this sad and touching piece. "First Carnival" is an autobiographical recollection of Bjorck's own experience as an excited and hyperactive child, running breathlessly from ride to ride and to all of the exhibits. Light and full of fun, this may be a bit of a surprise for Bjorck's fans, but I like it! "Swans" is another quiet, introspective composition that reflects the grace of a pair of swans gliding on the water as the sun sets - very peaceful and serene! The closing hymn, "Be Still My Soul" is breathtaking in its beauty. A favorite of both of his parents' as well as his hero's, this quiet hymn obviously has very deep meaning for Bjorck, and his arrangement is so emotional and personal that I was immediately enraptured by it. I could listen to this one all day!
"Impressions in Black and White" is one of those albums that gets better the more you listen to it - I like that kind of complexity! There is always something new each time you hear it. Recommended!"
Unpretentious yet carefully nuanced solo piano CD
Bill Binkelman, Wind and Wire | Minneapolis, MN United States | 07/26/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is the third "Pure Piano" album from pianist Jeff Bjork and it displays the artist's ability to infuse his music, whether original compositions or his rendition of two hymns (serving as the opening and closing numbers), with depth of feeling and technical virtuosity. In the liner notes, Bjork refers to his music as being "classically inspired" and that's more or less true. The piano music throughout the CD is rich with warm melodies that flow with grace and even elegance at times. Bjork makes mention in his liner notes that some selections on the album are more vibrant, although since this is his first recording I've heard, I can't judge how relative a statement that is. I don't consider anything here to be mood-breaking, the mood being primarily reflective and low-key.
Taken as a whole, Impressions in Black and White is a worthy addition to any solo piano music lover's collection. Recording quality is very good and Bjork expertly balances accessible melodicism with nuance and doses of minimalism, as well as crafting some truly evocative moments here and there throughout the CD. I recommend the album to fans of the genre and others who enjoy piano music that is emotionally complex but still wholly accessible.
"
Elegant Melodies to Soothe the Soul
Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 07/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dr. Jeff Bjorck is a multi-talented artist. He writes music and poetry. He is also a clinical psychologist, researcher and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary's Graduate School of Psychology. He has a unique connection with nature and the creator. His music is almost a prayer because he plays spontaneously from the heart. This album is filled with exquisitely beautiful and elegant melodies to calm and quiet the heart.
In his debut album: "Pure Piano Portraits," Jeff Bjorck was inspired by his love for the Appalachian woods and Catskill Mountains of his youth. Then he was inspired by the Mojave Desert and thunderclouds moving over the scorched earth when he recorded "Pure Piano Panoramas."
In "Impressions in Black and White" he has reached a beautiful new depth in his playing. His music flows from a refreshing inner well of creativity and from his imagination. There is a very personal element to his playing and while his first two albums were mostly inspired by nature, this one seems to be mostly inspired by his childhood, remembering the feelings he had for a girl when he was a teenager, the experience of a country fair and his love for Mexican art, architecture and cuisine.
I love listening to Jeff Bjorck's music because he truly puts his heart into his playing and each time I listen to this CD I feel relaxed and soothed into a calm emotional state. You can play this CD when relaxing, reading or when you need a soothing escape into your own dreams. I find this music wonderful to fall asleep to or to listen to in moments of reflection. You can really just enjoy the music for what it is, in its pure form without any distractions.
If you love David Lanz, Jeff Brickman, Danny Wright, Wayne Gratz, Robin Spielberg or George Winston, you will love Jeff Bjorck. You may also want to consider: Pure Piano Panoramas and Pure Piano Portraits.
My favorite piece is Sun Shower because you can almost hear the raindrops falling from the sky and imagine them steaming off the pavement.
~The Rebecca Review
"
"Sun Shower" hooked me in
TheBanshee | United States | 03/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"And now I'm a goner. I have loved listening to solo piano when the only names I knew were George Winston and Liz Story (both of which I enjoy listening to to this day). I heard Bjorck's "Sun Shower" and it's such a joyful song, and Jeff plays it just that way.
I have all him recording now, but this is my favorite.
In case anyone reading this didn't know, there is a WONDERFUL internet radio station that plays nothing but contemporary piano solos. It's called "Whisperings" and you'll hear a lot of great playing by newer artists like Bjorck. It think it's solopianoradio.com , but if you Google "Whisperings Solo Piano" you'll find it. I play it at work now."
Beautiful and soothing piano solos
Monica J. Kern | Lexington, KY United States | 03/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The field of new age solo piano artists is a crowded one, but Jeff Bjorck stands out in this crowd. His compositions are all pleasing, with strong melodies. In terms of style, his work is most reminiscent of artists such as Michael Jones, Stanton Lanier, and David Lanz.
My favorite piece on this album is "All I see is air," which communicates the full dynamic range of the instrument and has a beautiful coda consisting of a flurry of delicate right hand arpeggios played over deep and somber bass notes. "Be still my soul" is another favorite, with its beginning of delicate high chords played softly, building ultimately to a powerful emotional theme.
There are a lot of piano solo albums where I only like a couple of pieces and thus don't listen to very often. "Impressions in Black and White" is an album that I can (and do) listen to over and over."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1