Laura Sullivan - Pianoscapes for the Trails of North America
Serge Kozlovsky | Minsk, Belarus | 05/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Down off the snowy slopes a falling stream
Is rushing with a silver song
To the depth of forest
Where among a gentle murmur of a brook
And warbling of the birds
The silence lurks...
And nothing is in power to banish silence ...This music is a thanksgiving to the Nature that is surrounding us. This is a permission to take a stroll along woodland paths and realize the greatness and generous beauty of the woods. Without them our life here is like a farfetched role in an unkind tale. This music is an appeal going from the bottom of the heart, an appeal not merely to admire the beauty of the world around us but to preserve its existing state. Not to interfere and not to make a try for altering this world to your own liking, but just to live in it, in harmony with it. This is a perfect bliss. This world is so wonderful, it is here, and it is in the heart of everyone. And it is in Laura Sullivan's heart from which this divine music is venting. Back to the world that granted the life...The music of the «Pianoscapes for the Trails of North America» album is dedicated to paths that wind through various nooks of North American woods. Following Laura Sullivan we may walk along serpentine paths, inhale salubrious air, just lapse into day-dreaming in a green kingdom of Nature. There is a morning freshness and clarity in Laura Sullivan's tunes as if morning dew drops are sparkling on a green leafage in bright rays of a rising sun. This is the music of Summer and a rage of life when you want so much to leave a stuffy and dusty town for a couple of days and to walk along forest paths to your heart's content, having sensed a serenity of a renewed incessantly and forever young Nature.Laura Sullivan's piano is very expressive. You feel as if you are not a mere spectator, you become a member of a magical movie who is travelling through wonderful sights of America. Laura Sullivan's music fascinates you from the first moment till the last one. The performer is backed up by Chris Camozzi (guitar), Richard Kuhns and Scott Fuller (keyboards), Kristina Forester (cello), Mary Pitchford (violin). They create a very gentle, harmonious atmosphere. A new album by Laura Sullivan represents a most beautiful example of the best works belonging to the new age music. Not by chance a portion of proceeds of every disk put up for sale will be donated to the National Arbor Day Foundation with the purpose of protecting and expanding forests. Inside the packing of every album a small but very pleasant surprise - seed of trees in a stylish paper sticker - is waiting for a listener. An album cover contains the details of a correct planting of these seed so that afterwards new trees could grow out of them.Laura Sullivan's music is the generosity of spirit, the sincerity going from the very bottom of the heart.Where the forests stretch from end to end
Amongst the twisted twigs and mighty trunks
Our trails will disappear ...Serge Kozlovsky
Independent musical critic
web site: http://mkmk.com/kozlovskyP.S. Translated by Tatyana L. Permyakova."
From MainlyPiano.com
Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 04/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Pianoscapes For the Trails of North America" is a mostly upbeat follow-up to Laura Sullivan's 2003 indie-release, "Piano Solos." Accompanied by guitar, violin, cello, and keyboards, Sullivan takes us on a musical tour of several of the scenic trails of North America. PIanist Zola Van has released two albums to date that chronicle backpacking trips on two specific trails, but this CD takes us all across the US and Canada. Along with the CD, the album comes with a paper tree that has blue spruce seeds embedded in it, inviting us to "Buy a CD and plant a tree." Planting instructions are included. Fifty cents from the sale of each CD will be donated to The National Arbor Day Foundation.
The piano is the star on the ten tracks, with the accompanying instruments adding color and nuance. All of the tracks are original with the exception of Sullivan's arrangement of Pachelbel's "Canon in D" ("Pachelbel For the Potomac"). Much of Sullivan's previous album was very dark and moody, but, in general, "Pianoscapes" is much more optimistic and paints a beautiful portrait of "the great outdoors." "Mountain Magic" was composed for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and has a swirling, joyful feeling even though the melody is bittersweet; Chris Camozzi adds some tasty guitar work. Two pieces were dedicated to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail: "Sunrise on Cloud Palace" and "Sunset on Cloud Palace." The first is very light and "sparkly" and the second is much darker - both are beautiful. "From the Sea to Sapphire Sea" is another favorite - serene and flowing piano with string washes. I also really like "Witches Slow Dance," a dark, baroque-ish piece that is dedicated to the Natches Trace Trail. Much of the history of the area is mysterious and melancholy, and that is very effectively reflected in the music. Laura Sullivan has assembled a very impressive package with "Pianoscapes." It is both classical and contemporary, sometimes complex, but always accessible. Laura Sullivan has a flowing playing style, and most of her pieces are quite melodic. A very enjoyable choice!"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1