“Book of Life Concerto” by Lisa Swerdlow
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
After we’ve been here for a certain number of years, we most certainly begin to achieve some degree of wisdom and enlightenment. Composer and pianist, Lisa Swerdlow has been on the planet for 70 years. After noticing and reflecting upon repeating patterns that occurred in her life, she was inspired to compose this magnificent concerto which is brimming with emotion, passion, and most of all, love.
I imagine it was no easy task to try to create and condense the magnitude of the macrocosm into the microcosm through the universal language of music. But she did it, and did it extraordinarily well in three movements, or as she prefers to call them, “chapters.”
“Book of Life Concerto” is a deeply moving, unforgettable, emotionally evocative journey which beings with “Possibilities.” We arrive, we grow and mature, and life presents us with opportunities and possibilities. This is all very exciting, as well as, perhaps, daunting. We get to choose which paths ultimately speak to us. “Possibilities” is beautifully expressed through Lisa’s absolutely gorgeous, melodic, and passionate piano with orchestration (Doug Hammer). It’s an unforgettable piece.
As we continue in life, we encounter “Disappointments.” Now, this may seem like something we’d want to avoid; however, we all face some degree of inevitable disenchantment in life at one point or another. So, let’s listen, as we all also have the ability to change our perspective on these dissatisfactions and/or alchemize them into something else entirely. And the music helps us to do just that. Somber, yet flowing, dramatic, and with its own particular beauty, this is a very special, deep, and emotionally evocative piece. The piano is lovely as is the orchestration.
What comes next in life? “Discoveries,” of course. This is one of those compositions that sticks in your head long after the music stops. Grand, cinematic, utterly tantalizing, this is flawlessly executed piano with orchestration which will leave you breathless with possibilities.
The 22-minute album comes with two bonus tracks, which fit in with the theme perfectly. “Through It All” was originally released as a solo piano piece in 2023. This is the orchestrated version. This piece invites us to remember that no matter what, we do eventually get “through it all.” Lovely, relaxing, and cascading soundscapes take us through it all. . .Gorgeous.
A wonderful ending to this grand concerto – which is Lisa’s magnum opus – “Dawn Contemplation” was also released as a solo piano piece originally. This is the orchestrated version, which makes it also quite grand, cinematic, and dramatic. We are left with a sense of utter amazement and find ourselves contemplatively refreshed by the beauty of life. Truly a masterpiece. Get the whole thing, of course.
Get it here: https://www.lisaswerdlow.com
Recorded at Piano Haven Recording Studio, Sedona, AZ (Joe Bongiorno)
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