John C Buttigieg crafts a gorgeous collection of piano music within Perspectives – Solo Piano, an album recorded at his home studio in Shepperton, UK. The British-Maltese neoclassical artist, broadcast composer, and contemporary solo pianist excels with an aesthetic that embraces meditative introspection — reflective of life’s many emotions, from melancholy to joy and hope. Whilst embracing a minimalist lushness, tonally, the album tracks compel with dynamic structural shifts — often navigating both serene quaintness and powerful ardency with cohesive artfulness.
An understated, twinkling piano exudes a wintry glow on the opening “Misty Moorland.” A vibrant, sunshine-like quality emanates prior to the first minute’s conclusion, as prancing piano effervescence bursts forward alongside the more trickling undercurrent. The subsequent “Voyage” more resembles a calming ocean, in both its name and assortment of calming piano tones; its serene mid-point builds with riveting impact to the more glimmering, heightened conclusion. The album opens very strongly with these two tracks, and continues to impress thereafter.
Another standout, “Sunken” grips with its somber beauty. A nocturnal character emanates here, compared to much of the daylight-inhabiting album’s successes. The result is captivating still, particularly as higher-pitched piano trickles enter into the final minute. Perspectives – Solo Piano is another masterful showcase in songwriting from John C Buttigieg, previously impressing with releases like the Piano Odyssey EP and “Prelude in G-Sharp Minor.”
—
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
