Kaleidoscope of Life, family diary.

Artist: Yelena Eckemoff
Label: L & H Production
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 806151000322
EAN: 0806151000322
ASIN: B0009VS3OA

Release Date: 2002-05-21

Related Categories:

General

| Jazz | Styles | Music

General

| New Age | Styles | Music

Jazz

| New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Morning Hopes
Busy Day
A Lazy Hour
Halloween
Play Time
Kaleidoscope
In a Blue Mood
Dreams
Happy Moments
Grandma Olga's Waltz
The Daily Round
Christmas Tree
Do It My Way
Waiting
Evening Tea
Late Hour

Customer Reviews:

A Keeper.......2005-08-11

So personal, yet so universal. Beautiful music with such a flair. I enjoy this album in the car, especially on trips with my grandchildren, and they love it ,too. Her talent is amazing.

from Solo Piano Publications.......2005-08-02

"Kaleidoscope of Life" began as a series of "musical toys," which were vignettes pianist/composer Yelena Eckemoff improvised to relax from her more "serious" work. As the collection of "toys" grew, she realized that she was creating kind of a diary of her family life. Over time, she also collected sound effects from family videos as well as photos that reflected what the music was about, intending to keep it as a personal memento for her family. She later realized that the music was something that most people could relate to, either with their own families or their early lives, and released the collection on her own label. Born, raised, and educated in Moscow, Eckemoff earned a Masters Degree from the Moscow Conservatory. She and her husband came to the US in 1991, leaving their three small sons with their grandmother while they established a life here. The family was reunited fourteen months later, and "Happy Moments" captures the joyful reunion. Along with the piano, Eckemoff added other instrumentation, so this is not one of her solo piano recordings. As in life, the textures and colors keep changing, making this a very interesting and enjoyable album as well as a personal memoir. Some of the talking on the album is Russian, since the children spoke Russian at the time. Ms. Eckemoff is very open about translating, but it would be fun if the translations were in the liner notes or on her website, allowing those of us who don't understand Russian to know what is happening. The giggles and laughter are universal! The music has strong classical roots, but jazz and contemporary influences are apparent. The CD cover calls it "entertaining music," and I think that's very accurate.

The CD opens with one of the boys asking in Russian, "Is there going to be music?" His mom asks "What music?" Anthony then says, "But mu-usic! ... I am just going to stay right here." The music begins with "Morning Hopes," a very beautiful Russian-sounding waltz. "A Lazy Hour" is a very light, relaxed bit of musical bliss. "Halloween" has the sounds of thunder, goblins, and other spooky stuff but maintains a sense of fun and mystery in the music. "Play Time" is completely carefree with childlike innocence. "Kaleidoscope" is a bit more abstract, dancing and swirling with a colorful energy. "In a Blue Mood" slows down the pace and creates a quiet, reflective feeling with twinges of melancholy. My favorite track is the aforementioned "Happy Moments," which is in a ragtime style. Rhythmic and euphoric, this is joy set to music. "Grandma Olga's Waltz" is downright funny. Beginning with what sounds like a piano lesson that segues into a sweet little waltz, the sound of light snoring in the background cracks me up. "Christmas Tree" includes the sound of someone practicing "Jingle Bells" on cello. The actual piece is a lovely waltz that sparkles and enchants. "Do It My Way" is another favorite - graceful and a bit more serious, it could be a musical depiction of a parent patiently explaining something to a child. "Late Hour" concludes the album with more of a dark smooth jazz piece that's just this side of slinky.

"Kaleidoscope" is a unique and enjoyable musical experience. It is one woman's expression of family life that is both deeply personal and universal - and also a lot of fun.

A nice find.......2005-07-21

I like the improvisational mood of this music; it sounds spontaneous and straight from the heart. The innocent and playful melodies made me think of my own children when they were younger.

I have determined that Ms. Eckemoff played the piano but I wonder who played the other instruments. The box didn't say, but it was a very tasteful performance.

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Epoca de Oro ~ Facundo Cabral

Mas Que Amor ~ Pupy Santiago

Live And Funny Vol.2 ~ Redd Foxx

Kaleidoscope of Life, family diary. ~ Yelena Eckemoff

Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy: My Favorite Finales

Strokin ~ Richard Tee

Y Seguimos con Duranguense ~ Los Hor%C3%B3scopos de Durango

Forbidden Cuba In The '90s: Mercedita Valdes With Her Big Band - The Final Recordings ~ Mercedita Va

Estrellas Sonideras: Fantasma ~ Various Artists

Valses Romanticos ~ Various Artists