Circling Noon

Label: Cascadilla Records
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 630647236526
EAN: 0630647236526
ASIN: B0000C1HFK

Release Date: 2003-08-15

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Tracks:

Circling Noon
Elysian Fields
Along Prytania
Revolution
Half-deserted Streets
Identity
Become the Blue
Synchrony
Other Places
Slow Motion
Unusual Darkness
The Wine Room
Long Distance
Bloom

Similar Items:

Red Descending
Cascadilla
The Blue Light

Customer Reviews:

A Masterpiece!!.......2006-02-04

Mr. Kaufman is a genius -- a truly undiscovered talent. "Along Prytania" absolutely captures the essence of driving through the New Orleans Garden District. "Revolution," one of the first pieces he created for this album, communicates the emotional chaos that accompanies the tumultuous transitions of life. This album will not disappoint. It is soothing yet powerful -- a collection which will make one a devout fan of all Seth Kaufman's work.

Wonderful CD.......2005-07-19

I got Seth Kaufman's Circling Noon and Red Descending at the same time and I prefer Circling Noon. It's less abstract and more soothing. Absolutely beautiful compositions.

from Solo Piano Publications.......2004-12-03

"Circling Noon" is an extraordinary collection of original piano solos composed "during a time of transition. Lost among new streets and faces, unusual places, searching for routines and rhythms, I wander around and around an impossible, clear, mystical noon" (quoted from the liner notes). This sense of searching and adjusting, and of finding ones way fills the music with a melancholy and yet hopeful mood. The music was composed in New Orleans, a city of mysteries and unique stories. I could visualize some of the places I visited recently while listening to the music, making it very enjoyable on several levels. From soft and delicate to very percussive, Kaufman presents an amazing range of pianistic touches that make his playing vivid and colorful. He also has a real knack for piecing together a variety of themes to create a rich musical quilt. Some of the music is experimental with jazz and classical influences, and Seth Kaufman's musical voice is unique.

The title track opens the CD with a swirling rhythm and a mysterious feeling. Lively in tempo, this is still a rather dark piece with several themes woven throughout. "Half-Deserted Streets" is a somber, but very beautiful piece with several different themes that come together to become a moving and impressive whole. "Identity" comes so close to the closing chord of "Streets" that it almost becomes a second movement - and this works very well, as the pieces complement each other effectively. "Synchrony" is a bit more upbeat with shifting rhythms and a jovial mood. "Slow Motion" is my favorite Seth Kaufman piece (so far). Quite a bit of the piece is played with some of the piano strings muted with his hand, making it sound like a duet with piano and an unidentifiable string instrument that is being plucked - an incredible effect! The parts with the muted strings are fast and urgent, but the piano part is haunting and dark. This piece alone is worth the price of the CD, but the whole recording is excellent with a wide variety of styles and moods. "The Wine Room" was inspired by an evening at Emeril's Restaurant, and is the happiest piece on the album - obviously a very festive occasion! A bonus track at the end is a reprise of the title song, bringing the CD "full Circle."

I am very excited about discovering Seth Kaufman's music, and am looking forward to hearing more of it. Very highly recommended!

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