Cristofori's Dream
Once in a while an
album reveals the existence of a pure love affair between an artist
and his instrument. Cristofori's Dream is just such an
album! Drawing upon the inspiration of Bartolomeo Cristofori, the
17th century genius who invented and perfected the first piano,
David Lanz has meticulously crafted seven compositions into a
recording that can only be described as "totally elegant." Although
David's six previous albums on the Narada label have been critically
acclaimed, and his recording of Natural States with
Paul Speer soared on the record charts for most of 1987, I believe
that Cristofori's Dream is his finest effort to date.
Throughout each
composition, David adds embellishments of string and woodwind
instruments, as well as guitar and bass in the forefront. The
prominence of Lanz's piano is made immediately evident from the
opening bars of the title track, which inaugurates this album.
"Cristofori's Dream" is played with an understated, music-box
quality, but is augmented by marvelous sonics which seem to actually
place the listener in the center of a large concert hall with the
performer on stage, immersed in his music. As the main theme of the
composition progresses, hits of violins and cellos gently fade in
and out, and create a beautiful waltz-like tribute to the memory of
Cristofori.
The final cut of
the album, however, really touched me with its ability to awaken
memories of a special era that has long since passed. As a tasteful
closing to well-crafted album, the composer presents a haunting
version of "Whiter Shade of Pale," the 1967 hit song by Procol Harum.
Even though Lanz employs the aid of Mathew Fisher, Procol Harums's
keyboardist, to recreate the original organ passage, his variation
comes across as being fresh and vibrant with just a hint of blues
but a lot of honest emotion.
With each playing
of this collection, I found myself becoming more absorbed into the
beauty and serenity of David Lanz's music. His style is so polished
yet so genuinely unpretentious that is seems to appeal even to
staunch critics who do not usually buy piano albums. But to those of
us who enjoy the pristine sound of the grand piano,
Cristofori's Dream is indeed a dream come true. New
Frontier, November 1988
Cristofori's Dream
Dedicated to Bartolomeo Cristofori, the inventor
of the piano (1655-1731), Lanz performs some of his best work to
date, starting with the album's title track, a feeling composition
that portrays the beauty and dynamics of the acoustic piano;
Cristofori, wherever he may be in the Universe, is paid the highest
homage and his invention is played lovingly by this contemporary
piano virtuoso. Lanz composed six of the seven cuts on the album,
with the last track being a reincarnation of Procol Harem's A
Whiter Shade of Pale with the original group's own Matthew
Fisher playing the Hammond B3 Organ. This album is a masterwork and
it deserves the #1 slot it earned on Billboard's New Age Chart.
Treat yourself to it! Tom Benford, New
Jersey Harold, November 1988
