Review of Ardor by Matthew Mayer
Album review by Dyan Garris for New Age CD
Matthew Mayer, a notable and award winning pianist and composer, is the founder and owner of the website and radio station SoloPiano.com. Ardor, the 11th album release by Mayer, is eloquent, sophisticated solo piano at its best. It’s everything solo piano ought to be.
As to be expected, the compositions on Ardor are masterfully composed without being pretentious on any level. Performance-wise, Matthew has perfect pacing and exquisite movement of expression. Ardor is grace, elegance, and refinement. The superbly composed melodies lift the spirit immediately and lead us into a world of peace and serenity where we can leave our cares to waft in the wind.
The opening track, “Stars on 123,” enticingly draws us into a world rife with inherent beauty and offers us a vast, otherworldly, and refreshing viewpoint. “Disappear It May,” track 5 on Ardor, is wistful, evocatively poignant, and emotionally stirring. It’s one to listen to over and over again.
My favorite track, the soulful, hypnotic, “Moonlight Walk,” track 8, carries us effortlessly to another place. We are on that walk, deeply contemplating not just the moon and the stars, but the universe and our place in it.
Another favorite is the warm and zesty “Escape” on track 10. Here our spirit is free of all burdens and yet oh, so alive.
Winding down the album, track 11, is the most lovely and deeply relaxing “Dreams VI.” Here we are immersed in sublime pleasantries like day-dreaming and cloud watching.
“We Met Once,” is the last track on Ardor, and also a favorite. The catchy, memorable melody lingers deliciously in your heart and soul long, long after the album ends. It’s exactly as if “we met once and we shall indeed meet again.” Eternally.
Matthew Mayer is an extraordinarily gifted pianist and composer. Without a doubt, there is so much to like here in Ardor, and nothing at all not to completely love.
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Visit Matthew Mayer’s artist website.
Matthew’s music can be purchased on his website, Amazon, CD Baby, and iTunes, and streamed on Spotify and Pandora.
