Healing Hearts 2
Louis Landon
2015 / Landon Creative
66 minutes
Review by Kathy Parsons
Louis Landon continues to soar on the wings of an amazingly creative period - now going on several years! Healing Hearts 2 is the follow-up to Healing Hearts, which was released the end of 2014 and is nominated for Album of the Year on Whisperings Solo Piano Radio. This is Landon?s second album for 2015 and he?s already working on his first release for 2016! The fourteen tracks on Healing Hearts 2 were gathered from improvisations created during sessions at Landon?s Healing Piano of Sedona (AZ), so the piano solos are very smooth and soothing - probably the most relaxed and relaxing album of Landon?s career. Recorded on a Steinway B grand piano at The Peace Palace in Sedona and mastered by Joe Bongiorno at Piano Haven, also in Sedona, the piano sound is impeccable - very warm and enveloping. Landon told me that this is the best music he never wrote, referring to the fact that the music just flows out of him during these sessions, reflective of each client?s wants and needs at the time of the session.

The full Healing Hearts 2 album is a little more than an hour of quietly uplifting music and works exceptionally well as a relaxing and healing experience. I?d like to mention a few favorite pieces, though. The album begins with ?Sisters,? a very gentle piece that expresses the love and special bond that can exist between sisters. Very light and free, it?s a beautiful start. ?Free At Last? starts out almost mournfully - dark and searching - gradually becoming livelier and more optimistic. It?s an amazing musical journey and development! ?Relax and Enjoy? expresses the warm comfort of just letting go and ?being? for awhile - leisurely and contented. ?Feeling the Love? is so warm and open that it feels like a musical embrace - melodic yet very free. ?All Is Well? is almost ambient, but what a wonderful atmosphere of quiet contentment it creates - a perfect peace. ?Transition? is like floating on a cloud - effortless and so peaceful. ?Dark Nights? is one of the most beautiful pieces Landon has recorded. It reminds me a little bit of Beethoven?s ?Moonlight Sonata? and some of Chopin?s Nocturnes - so poignant and heartfelt that it takes my breath away. The gracefully flowing ?Dancer? expresses freedom and elegant movement. ?Lullaby? closes this excellent album with a piece so soothing it could melt the tension out of anyone. Gorgeous!

If you are looking for music that will relax and refresh your inner being, you need to look no further than Healing Hearts 2. This is the real deal when it comes to soothing piano music with substance and heart. It is available from louislandon.com, Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby. Highly recommended!
November 1, 2015

Recorded at The Peace Palace, Sedona, AZ, from November 2015 to February 2016. on a Steinway B.

Music mastering: Joe Bongiorno at Piano Haven Studio, Sedona, AZ



Louis Landon is a composer and Steinway artist. Formerly of New York and currently living in Sedona, Arizona, Louis has dedicated his life to music. His career has taken him around the world playing a variety of styles with some of the most recognized names in the entertainment industry. He toured nationally and internationally, playing classical music for Mikhail Baryshnikov; jazz fusion with The John Payne Band; Latin music with "Pucho and his Latin Soul Brothers?; pop music with Rupert "Pina Colada Song" Holmes; and rock & roll with John Hall, opening for "Little Feat?.

Louis began playing the piano by ear at 4 years old and began lessons at 5. As a teenager, he played guitar and keyboard in bands and went on to study music at Stony Brook University, Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music.

For the past 30 years, through his production company, Landon Music Company, Louis has written and produced music for film, video, and commercials. He recorded his first original album, Love Songs & Jazz, in 1994 and has since released 38 Albums/CDs on the LCI Record label. His latest, entitled Provocative Piano, was released on January 29, 2021. He has just finished up yet another solo piano album, Nighttime Piano for Relaxation and Deep Sleep, with a release date of April 23, 2021.

Louis Landon mission:

To create a more compassionate world by writing, recording and performing music that inspires love, peace, joy and gratitude.

Reviews:

?While some pianists are virtuosos in their playing and others may not be as technically proficient, but have great emotional content in their music, Louis Landon brings it all together with impeccable style and grace. His work covers diverse compositional terrain, incorporating influences of classical, new age, jazz, pop, and more in a mellifluous spectrum of moods and musical colors.? Michaeldiamondmusic.com

"He has a gift for composition that is second to none." Zone Music Reporter

"? indeed meditative and mellow, [he] sacrifices no musical rigor to achieve those ends. With backgrounds in jazz, Latin music, rock, pop, film composing, and classical piano, Louis brings his breadth and depth of experience to bear here. His playing and compositions are sensitive as they are complex and? a diverse range of influences is more than apparent.? Keyboard Magazine

Recognition:

Louis Landon's music has had over 140 million streams on Pandora radio!

Louis Landon's music has had over 34 million streams on Spotify!

Thanksgiving Piano was nominated for Album of the Year 2020 by Whisperings Radio.

Departure - Solo Piano was nominated for Album of the Year 2017 by Whisperings Radio.

Healing Hearts 2 - Solo Piano won 2016 ?Contemporary and Modern? Album of the Year at solo piano.com and was nominated for Album of the Year at Enlightened Piano Radio, also in 2016.

Healing Hearts - Solo Piano was nominated for Album of the Year at Whisperings Radio 2015.

Solo Piano for Love, Peace & Mermaids was nominated for Album of the Year at Whisperings Radio 2010.

Solo Piano for Peace was nominated for the 2009 ZMR Music Awards in three categories: Album of the Year, Best Instrumental Album - piano, and Best Cover Art by Zone Music Reporter. Solo Piano for Peace was listed at #30 of the top 100 albums for airplay in 2009 by Zone Music Reporter.

Peace Revolution! was Louis Landon's 7th CD and 2nd solo piano CD. It was #7 on the NAR top 100 charts and was played on over 50 stations worldwide.

unwind charted at #3 of the top 100 cds for the month of February, 2006 on Zone Music Reporter's website, playing on over 121 stations internationally.

Visit LouisLandon.com for bookings, CDs, sheet music, contact info and more.

Contains A Night in the House of Usher Un Jour affreux avec Le Diable dans le beffroi, Les accords de septi�me regrettent!!!, Petite Valse,F�tes galantes, and Pr�lude � ?L?Histoire de Tristan?

From Robert Orledge's notes:

My interest in the wonderful music of Claude Debussy began in the 1980s when I researched and published a book with Cambridge University Press entitled Debussy and the Theatre. During the course of my studies in Paris, I was amazed to discover that Debussy planned over 50 theatrical works but only finished two of these entirely by himself (the opera Pell�as et M�lisande in 1893?1902 and the ballet Jeux for Diaghilev?s Ballets Russes in 1912?13). Of the rest, many were never started musically (like Siddartha and Orph�e-roi with the Oriental scholar Victor Segalen, 1907); some had a few tantalising sketches (like the Edgar Allan Poe opera Le Diable dans le beffroi, 1902?03); some were half-finished (like his other Poe opera La Chute de la Maison Usher, 1908?17); while others were musically complete but had their orchestrations completed by other composers (like Khamma, by Charles Koechlin, 1912?13; or Le Martyre de Saint S�bastien and La Bo�te � joujoux by his ?angel of corrections? [?l?ange des Corrections?] Andr� Caplet in 1911 and 1919 respectively).

For it has to be admitted that what some scholars call Debussy?s ?compulsive achievement? could equally well be viewed as laziness, especially as far as the minute detail required for calligraphing his orchestral scores was concerned. It was as if creating the music itself was of greater importance than controlling its final sound, even if Debussy was an imaginative orchestrator when he found the time and energy to do it. It also seems true that Debussy also preferred inventing ideas to turning them into complete pieces. However, despite the lack of detail in many of his sketches (missing clefs, key signatures, dynamics, phrasing, etc.) the notes themselves are surprisingly accurate, whether or not they can be compared with a later draft. Thus, a large number of sketches exist for his Chinese ballet No-ja-li ou Le Palais du Silence and it is not too difficult to see which parts of Georges de Feure?s 1913 scenario (see below) inspired which ideas. But Debussy hardly made any attempt to join them together after the first few bars.

It was usually up to his publisher, Jacques Durand, to find solutions when Debussy risked a breach of contract. Debussy was supposed to supervise the orchestrations completed by others, but this supervision was usually very light and restricted to quiet, sensitive moments in which problems were easier to spot. Far from jealously guarding every one of his created notes, as Ravel did, Debussy once even went as far as to ask Koechlin to ?write a ballet for him that he would sign? on 26 March 1914 when he was hard-pressed to fulfil his lucrative contract for No-ja-li with Andr� Charlot at the Alhambra Theatre in London. In the end, Debussy (through Durand) sent Charlot the symphonic suite Printemps instead, whose orchestration had been completed by Henri Busser in the Spring of 1912.

So, when I was offered early retirement as Professor of Music at Liverpool University in 2004, I seized the opportunity it would give me to spend time trying to reconstruct some of Debussy?s lost potential masterpieces from his existing sketches and drafts?then orchestrating them in Debussy?s style when this was appropriate. I had begun this mission in 2001 with the most promising project, the missing parts of Scene 2 of La Chute de la Maison Usher and the sheer joy it gave me at every stage persuaded me to tackle other projects, especially when Debussy experts were unable to identify exactly where I took over from Debussy (and vice versa) in Usher.

A gorgeous arrangement of the Moody Blues classic, "Nights in White Satin", blended with nuances of Debussy's classical masterpiece, "Clair de Lune". This "Classical Pop" cover, arranged by Kawai Artist Christine Brown, is a solo piano arrangement from the popular piano cover album"Timeless", part 2 of a collection of classic rock/pop hits that are blended "seamlessly" with classical songs, appealing to generations young and old, being introduced to the iconic classics in a new way. Christine is a distinguished Kawai Piano Artist and award-winning composer of contemporary classical solo piano. Christine?s music is a unique blend of new age, contemporary and classical sounds. With her graceful, elegant touch, Christine paints a colorful landscape with thoughtful musical interpretations of life's emotions and experiences. Since the young age of three, she has been fascinated by the piano. Christine's childhood classical training is evident in her melodic and thematic compositions, while rich harmonies reflect her background in accompanying various choral groups. From Chopin to Joplin, her influences were varied and many, and she also enjoyed creating her own arrangements of popular songs. While attending the University of Colorado, Christine was inspired by George Winston's new age genre of solo piano, yet for many years the piano remained only a hobby. Christine rediscovered her passion for the piano, immersing herself in her music after the loss of her mother in 1990. She began composing, using the piano to voice her emotions, releasing heartfelt compositions that captured listeners.

Christine has released 13 CDs, including her original works, "a mixture of passion, exceptional playing chops and an abundance of grace consistently puts her music in a category of its own. . . the pieces express a wide range of emotions and experiences with depth, sincerity and an elegant touch." MainlyPiano.com. Her original music on ?Souvenirs" (2014) won Best Solo Piano Album of the Year by Whisperings Solo Piano Radio. Christine?s unique arrangements of holiday, pop/rock and children?s music have earned numerous awards. ?A Classic Christmas II? was awarded Best Holiday Album of 2018 by SoloPiano.com. ?Seamless? (2016), a creative mashup collection, was awarded SoloPiano.com's Pop/Rock Piano Album of the Year 2016 a unique fusion of popular cover songs and classical and new age pieces, a sophisticated and seamless musical tapestry with clever medleys of timeless melodies. Original albums, ?Ascend? (2017), ?The Wishing Well" (2011) and "Promise" ( 2009), were also nominated for Piano Album of the Year. Reviewers have noted Christine?s music as ?so stunning and full flowing, with wonderfully crafted compositions and magical and emotive performances. Her care and attention to detail while creating such incredibly powerful and moving pieces will not go unnoticed."

Christine?s style of playing has a unique classical influence with a new age sensitivity that evokes strong emotions. Inspired by her life experiences and emotions, Christine creates captivating music that tells a story, with depth and sincerity. Fans write, "Her music is vibrant, colorful and full of life. Skilled at the art of blending chords and note progressions into beautiful aural tapestries, her emotions come through her music ... and through her music she is able to reach out and touch the hearts of millions of appreciative piano music fans." Christine currently resides in San Diego, California.

Sounds like: Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi, Liz Story's "The Gift", George Winston's "December", early Windham Hill solo piano artists, and "A Winter's Solstice" compilations.


Transcribed by: David Shenton ( https://www.shentonmusic.com/ ) verbatim to the sound recording

Contents:
1. Bring A Torch (Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella)
2. Children Go Where I Send Thee / The Holly & The Ivy
3. Star Of Wonder (We Three Kings of Orient Are)
4. Silent (Silent Night, Holy Night)
5. Midnight (It Came Upon the Midnight Clear)
6. What Child Is This?
7. Greensleeves (homage to Liz Story)
8. Three Ships (I Saw Three Ships, Come Sailing In)
9. The Coventry Carol (Lully, Lulla, Lullay)
10. Sing We Now Of Christmas (No�l Nouvelet)
11. Carol Of The Bells

Album & Songbook review by: Kathy Parsons (MainlyPiano.com):

I have discovered a real wealth of great solo piano Christmas CDs this year! Isadar?s In Search For the Meaning of Christmas definitely falls into this category! Thoughtful, introspective, and a bit moody, Isadar?s arrangements are true to the carols (with some small melody changes in ?Bring a Torch? and ?Carol of the Bells? that bother me just a little) and still seem very personal. ?Bring a Torch?, ?The Holly and the Ivy?, and ?I Saw Three Ships? are given a lighthearted, joyful treatment. ?Star of Wonder (We Three Kings)?, ?What Child Is This??, ?The Coventry Carol?, and ?Sing We Now of Christmas? are all minor, somber, reverent pieces, and all four are given loving arrangements that keep the dark, mysterious nature of the songs and reflect Isadar?s own sensibilities. ?Carol of the Bells? and Isadar's take on Liz Story?s arrangement of ?Greensleeves? are energetic without losing all abandon. ?Silent Night? and ?It Came Upon a Midnight Clear? present us with a very cold, deep solitude - both feel like late night with moonlight reflecting off the snow. Both are moody, but very beautifully so. George Winston?s ?December? is one of my all-time favorite holiday albums, and I feel In Search For the Meaning of Christmas holds up exceptionally well next to it. This is an excellent collection of Christmas music, and I highly recommend it!

In Search For the Meaning of Christmas is the companion songbook to Isadar?s 1999 solo piano release by the same name. Meticulously transcribed note-for-note by David Shenton of New York Music Publishing, the music is faithful to the recording in every way (except for the pianist - YOU!). The scores are clear, concise, and easy to read, and also include chord indications for improvisation or the use of instruments other than or in addition to the piano. Isadar?s arrangements cover a whole range of emotions, from very dark and somber to joyful and buoyant. All of the pieces from the CD are here, including Isadar?s homage to Liz Story and her beautiful version of ?Greensleeves.? My personal favorites of the eleven songs in this book are the bright and cheerful ?Bring A Torch,? ?What Child Is This??, ?Greensleeves,? the darkly gorgeous ?The Coventry Carol,? and ?Sing We Now of Christmas.? Other titles that I really like are ?Children Go Where I Send Thee/The Holly and the Ivy,? ?Star of Wonder (We Three Kings)," ?Carol of the Bells,? and the effervescent ?Three Ships.? ?Silent? (Silent Night) and ?Midnight? (It Came Upon a Midnight Clear) are a bit too dark for my own holiday tastes, but are interesting and very personal arrangements. This book will make a great addition to your holiday sheet music collection and is available from isadar.com and amazon.com.

Isadar is an artist on both Enlightened Piano Radio & Whisperings Solo Piano Radio, the latter featuring some of today's biggest names in solo piano music, including Ludovico Einaudi, David Nevue, Brian Crain, Kevin Kern, Robin Spielberg, Michele McLaughlin, Philip Wesley and over 300 more...

Also available as sheet music in physical songbooks, digital downloads, as well as software for Yamaha Disklavier player-pianos.

For more information, visit his website at: http://www.isadar.com

The official Hollow Knight Piano Collections album, in collaboration with composer Christopher Larkin and Team Cherry.

Producer and arranger David Peacock and pianist Augustine Mayuga Gonzales team up once again to create 15 gorgeous renditions of favorites from the soundtrack to indie hit game Hollow Knight.

Available for your piano playing and listening pleasure with accompanying CD, vinyl, and both digital and printed sheet music editions: https://materia.to/hkpiano

Produced by David Peacock, Sebastian Wolff, and Christopher Larkin
Executive Producer: Sebastian Wolff
Original songs composed by Christopher Larkin
Arrangements and engravings by David Peacock
Performed by Augustine Mayuga Gonzales

Recorded at Futura Productions
Mixed by John Weston, David Peacock
Mastered at The Bakery by Jett Galindo
Lacquer Cut by Peter Hewitt-Dutton
Plated by Record Technology Incorporated

Illustrations by Nise
Product and Layout Design by Rozen
Graphic Design by Isa Alc�ntara

� 2019 Materia Collective LLC under exclusive license from Team Cherry and Christopher Larkin
Ⓟ 2019 Materia Collective LLC

� 2019 Materia Collective LLC. Music compositions are � 2017, 2018 Christopher Larkin. Hollow Knight, Team Cherry, the logos, and all related characters and elements are trademarks and � Team Cherry. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

For complete credits and information about this release, please visit Materia Collective: www.materiacollective.com/music/hollow-knight-piano-collections