Enchanted Piano
Customer Reviews
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Music Design
The beauty of Kevin Kern’s piano playing has touched the hearts of listeners worldwide, as he serenades and sweeps them up in the melodious bliss. With Enchanted Piano, he pairs back his musical arrangements to the basics – just Kern and his piano without accompaniment. Enchanted Piano features a collection of the Steinway artist’s fan favorite melodies form his many releases on Real Music. In each case, listeners are romanced with sweet melodies that echo with emotions of love, happiness, longing and wistfulness. Any one of these pieces would make an ideal accompaniment for a quiet night with a loved one, whether it be a candlelit dinner with a spouse or partner, or a night gazing at the stars with a dear friend. Highlights include “Remembering the Light,” “A Gentle Whisper,” “Sundial Dreams,” and “The Enchanted Garden.” Dan Cowan Music Design/Allegro Media Group
Just like meeting the old friends
Listening to these old melodies with slight recomposing is just like meeting the old friends: The appearance has changed a bit, but the spirit is unchanged. But I really look forward to the next brand new album from Kern.
MainlyPiano.com
Enchanted Piano is Kevin Kern’s tenth release on the Real Music label and his first all solo piano album - finally! If you have been fortunate enough to see Kern playing solo in concert, you have a good idea of what an incredible pianist he is. He started picking out melodies on the piano at the amazing age of eighteen months, and studied music through a Master’s Degree in Performance from The New England Conservatory of Music, so he is an exceptionally well-trained as well as remarkably gifted musician. The eleven selections on this album are fan favorites from six of Kern’s previously-released CDs in all of their rich, unadorned beauty - just the artist and his beloved piano. Not surprisingly, three of the songs come from Kern’s classic debut album, In the Enchanted Garden (1995). There are three from Kern’s “best of” More Than Words (2002), three from Imagination’s Light (2006), two each from Embracing the Wind (2001) and Beyond the Sundial (1997), and one from Summer Daydreams (1998). Kern has such an elegant touch and his music is so graceful, melodic, and heartfelt that it is difficult to choose favorites from this collection - and what a nice thing that is! Enchanted Piano begins with “Pastel Reflections,” a Kern classic in its own right and one of his most popular pieces. This solo version brings out the beauty of the simple melody and the feeling of a warm, sweet daydream. “Through The Arbor” is one of Kern’s signature pieces and one of my own favorites to play and teach. “A Gentle Whisper” is even more poignant as a piano solo, overflowing with tenderness and longing. “Sundial Dreams” is another classic - a peaceful and happy daydream set to music. Kern hasn’t recorded many dark pieces, but “Childhood Remembered” has always been one of my favorites. “Remembering the Light” is gently nostalgic with warm and blissful memories. “Into the Realm” and “Hide and Seek” both come from Kern’s under-appreciated Beyond the Sundial, and I’m really glad to see these two beauties come to the surface again. The album closes with “The Enchanted Garden,” a true classic of the new age genre. I would have to say that Enchanted Piano is my favorite Kevin Kern album to date. I hope it’s a smash hit so he will be encouraged to release more solo piano records! It is available from most online retailers as well as offline music outlets. Very highly recommended! Kathy Parsons MainlyPiano.com
Bette Timm
When you want to promote a calming, peaceful atmosphere, turn to Kevin Kern’s Enchanted Piano. Kern’s piano melodies are always delightful. His pieces gently and joyfully flow from one to the next, creating a sense of comfort like coming home. Very well produced and technically sophisticated, yet spontaneous and original, this recording’s memorable melodies leave a lasting impression long after the music has stopped. Bette Timm
Neufutur Magazine and Neufutur.com
“Pastel Reflections” is a delicate track that immediately invites listeners in to Kern’s inimitable style. With each composition building with craftsman-like precision, listeners will be touched. There needs to be nothing more than Kern’s piano to create a richness of sound that emanates through rooms. Kern’s greatest strength on Enchanted Piano is in the arrangements. Each of the album’s cuts works well as an isolated track, but they provide ample linkages to other tracks on Enchanted Piano. “Childhood Remembered” is a wistful and slightly playful track, one that builds upon a considerably fleshed body. It is precisely this density of arrangements, narration, and emotion that makes Enchanted Piano memorable – each track will reveal something new to its listener whenever the disc plays. “Remembering the Light” plays at the higher registers at its inceptions, with Kern providing humanity to the track with each note. The penultimate track, “Hide and Seek,” is marked by the furtherance of two distinct stories. While there is a bold piano line that rests at the front of the track, I find the secondary line takes a more interesting journey. When the two are taken together, listeners are left with one of the album’s strongest tracks. Kern’s latest ends with “The Enchanted Garden.” This track acts a bridge between the past, present, and future. There is a timeless feel to the track, with an overall sound that touches upon some of the trends on the album. The future presented by “The Enchanted Garden” is one of bright, sunny days, with a journey awaiting one that listens in. The eleven tracks on this album will have listeners keeping the title on repeat; Kern wows here. Top Tracks: “I Am Always Right Here,” “Pastel Reflections” Rating: 8.8/10 James McQuiston, Editor Neufutur Magazine and Neufutur.com
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